GORILLAS

Gorilla gorillaFirst recorded gorilla sighting was

by a Roman explorer in the 5th century B.C.

Habitat Tropical and montane forests in central

and equatorial Africa

Habitat destroyed for logging purposes

Diet Fruits Leaves Shoots Ants Termites Worms Etc.

Mating and Family Live in highly complex social groups Mating season: all year long Can have one baby every 8 ½ months Typical gorilla family: one silverback, one

immature male between 8-13 yrs., 3-4 adult females that stay with silver back for life, and 3-6 youngsters under 8 yrs. old.

Size and Lifespan Largest of primates Males: 5’6” upright. 4’6” normal stance Females: Weight: Males: 300-450 lbs. Females: 200 lbs Lifespan: 30-50 years

Endangered Habitat loss: Habitat is destroyed for logging purposes Poached for food. Hard to estimate number of gorillas

poached because sometimes, they are butchered and eaten on the spot. Or their meat is smoked for later sale

Gorillas Today There are 3 types of gorillas today Mountain gorillas are the most

endangered. There were 620 mountain gorillas alive in

1991. Today there are 700.

Other Interesting Facts Between 95%-99% of gorilla DNA is

similar to human DNA. Closest relatives of gorillas are

chimpanzees and humans The only natural enemy of gorillas has

always been humans.

Quiz Who was the first recorded gorilla

sighting by? How much gorilla DNA is similar to

human DNA? How many mountain gorillas remain

today? What are the 3 types of gorillas? What are the two reasons gorillas are

endangered?

Bibliography www.animalplanet.com http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorilla www.koko.org http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/an

imals/great-apes http://www.defenders.org/wildlife_and_ha

bitat/wildlife/gorilla.php http://wwf.panda.org