Gorilla

Gorilla

Lowland Gorilla.

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Primates
Family:	Hominidae
Genus:	Gorilla
Species:	gorilla

Species

Gorilla gorilla

The Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) is the largest of the primates, a ground-dwelling herbivore that inhabits the forests of central west Africa.

There are three generally recognized subspecies:

Gorilla gorilla gorilla, the Western Lowland Gorilla
Gorilla gorilla graueri, the Eastern Lowland Gorilla
Gorilla gorilla beringei, the Mountain Gorilla

Gorillas move about by knuckle-walking. Males range in height from 1.65 m to 1.75 m, and in weight from 140 kg to 165 kg. Females are about half the weight of males.

The Gorilla is an endangered species, and has been subject to intense poaching for a long time. Threats to Gorilla survival include habitat destruction and the bushmeat trade.

See also:

List of famous apes