Rebels and poachers invaded the park and people set up illegal mines. Throughout the unrest, the gorillas have been vulnerable to poaching, even in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, home to the largest population of protected eastern lowland gorillas. An accurate accounting of the animals has been impossible for many years because of violence in the region. There were nearly 17,000 eastern lowland gorillas in the mid-1990s but scientists estimate that the population has declined by more than 50% since then. This subspecies may now occupy only 13% of its historical range. In the last 50 years, its range has decreased from 8,100 square miles-about the size of the state of Massachusetts- to about 4,600 square miles today. The eastern lowland gorilla makes its home in lowland tropical rainforests in the eastern DRC. silverback gorilla The Susa Group/ Family: this is the largest family in Rwanda with about 41 members and is usually found on the slopes of the Karisimbi. Years of civil unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have taken their toll on both the eastern lowland gorilla and the mountain gorilla. Despite its size, eastern lowland gorillas subsist mainly on fruit and other herbaceous materials, just like other gorilla subspecies. It is distinguished from other gorillas by its stocky body, large hands and short muzzle.

They get all of the moisture they need from their food and morning dew.The eastern lowland gorilla-also known as Grauer’s gorilla-is the largest of the four gorilla subspecies. 7 m (8 ft 10 in), a chest of 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in), and a weight of. Gorillas usually don't need to drink water from lakes or streams. The tallest gorilla recorded stood at 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) silverback with an arm span of two. Young gorillas often make their nests in trees, and older gorillas make their nests on the ground. They can use simple tools and learn sign language. This allows them to walk on all four limbs while still remaining somewhat upright. Gorillas' arms are longer than their legs. The WWF estimates that there are about 100,000 lowland gorillas still in existence. It is unknown exactly how many of these gorillas are left. While data are lacking to determine the population of Eastern lowland gorillas, the IUCN says it is believed that the total population has decreased dramatically.Īccording to the IUCN, the Gorilla gorilla species (Western lowland gorillas and Cross River gorillas) is critically endangered, with a population reduction of more than 80 percent over three generations (a generation is about 22 years). IUCN estimates that there are about 680 mountain gorillas left in two isolated populations. They are hunted and their habitat has been destroyed by mining and agriculture. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Gorilla beringei species (mountain gorillas and Eastern lowland gorillas) as endangered on its Red List of Threatened Species. What's the biggest type of gorilla The Eastern Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri) or Grauer's gorilla of Democratic Republic of Congo is the largest of the four gorilla subspecies weighing up to 400kg belonging to the bigger Gorilla Beringei sub species. (Image credit: Photodynamic (opens in new tab) Shutterstock (opens in new tab)) Conservation status

Gorilla beringei beringei (Mountain gorilla).

Gorilla beringei graueri (Eastern lowland gorilla) Scientific name, gorilla beringei is found in Africa, a straddle that borders Uganda, Rwanda and DR.

Gorilla gorilla diehli (Cross River gorilla).Gorilla gorilla gorilla (Western lowland gorilla).Kingdom: Animalia Subkingdom: Bilateria Infrakingdom: Deuterostomia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Infraphylum: Gnathostomata Superclass: Tetrapoda Class: Mammalia Subclass: Theria Infraclass: Eutheria Order: Primates Suborder: Haplorrhini Infraorder: Simiiformes Superfamily: Hominoidea Family: Hominidae Subfamily: Homininae Genus & species: Gorilla gorilla, Gorilla beringei Subspecies: The taxonomy of gorillas, according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System(ITIS), is: Gorillas can live around 35 years in the wild and more than 50 years in zoos, according to the WWF. At this point, the gorilla will leave its mother's group to find a mate. From the time they're about 4 months to 2 or 3 years old, young gorillas ride on their mothers' backs as a form of transportation.Īt around 7 to 10 years, the young gorilla will become mature enough to have its own offspring. Like humans, female gorillas are pregnant for nine months and usually give birth to only one infant at a time. Mountain gorillas only weigh four pounds when they're born.

Biggest silverback gorilla