Adult full- grown male gorillas of this subspecies have an average body weight of up to 195 kg (430 pounds), while females have up to 100 kg (220 pounds), approximately half of the weight of male individuals. King Kong, the giant gorilla that falls for an actress, is perhaps the most well-known ape in pop culture. In the literary classic Planet of the Apes, gorillas rule a distant world where they serve roles such as military, police, and hunters. Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rded.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp.181–182. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494. Mountain gorillas live in montane forests at the higher end of the elevation range, while eastern lowland gorillas live in submontane forests at the lower end. In addition, eastern lowland gorillas live in montane bamboo forests, as well as lowland forests ranging from 600–3,308m (1,969–10,853ft) in elevation. [39] Western gorillas live in both lowland swamp forests and montane forests, at elevations ranging from sea level to 1,600m (5,200ft). [38] Western lowland gorillas live in swamp and lowland forests ranging up to 1,600m (5,200ft), and Cross River gorillas live in low-lying and submontane forests ranging from 150–1,600m (490–5,250ft).

Harambe – a captive gorilla, shot while interacting with a child who fell into his zoo enclosure, who became a popular internet meme a b Tutin, C. E. G.; Fernandez, M. (1993). "Composition of the diet of chimpanzees and comparisons with that of sympatric lowland gorillas in the Lopé reserve, Gabon". American Journal of Primatology. 30 (3): 195–211. doi: 10.1002/ajp.1350300305. PMID 31937009. S2CID 84681736. Gorillas became highly prized by western zoos since the 19th century, though the earliest attempts to keep them in captive facilities ended in their early death. In the late 1920s the care of captive gorillas significantly improved. [91] Colo (December 22, 1956 – January 17, 2017) of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was the first gorilla to be born in captivity. [92] This is very similar to our own behaviour when eating delicious food and emphasising this by also making ‘mmmmm’ sounds.” How long does a gorilla live?Gorilla rows are a compound horizontal pulling exercise. As such, they involve several joints and muscles working together. On the other hand, a well trained human weightlifter can lift weight up to 410 kg (900 lb) which is half to what a Gorilla can lift.

When researchers completed a draft sequence of the gorilla genome, their analysis revealed some groundbreaking news. It showed scientists that humans may be even more closely related to gorillas than we ever imagined. So gorillas not only disperse trees but also encourage them to grow, thereby playing a key role in maintaining West and Central Africa’s tropical forests. In turn, this contributes to global carbon and water regulation, and helps to regulate our climate. Gorillas have no natural enemies or predators. The biggest threat to the species is humans. Gorillas are hunted by humans for their food called bushmeat. Logging and mining companies have destroyed gorilla habitats. Local armed conflicts in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has caused refugees to pour into previous gorilla habitat. Diseases like the Ebola virus have recently decimated gorilla populations. The illegal pet trade is also a threat to the species. Behind each infant gorilla caught by poachers, several family members are often killed. Gorillas rarely drink water "because they consume succulent vegetation that is comprised of almost half water as well as morning dew", [43] although both mountain and lowland gorillas have been observed drinking. Gorillas – diet & eating habits". Seaworld. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011 . Retrieved 27 September 2011.The average body weight of female Western lowland gorillas ( Gorilla gorilla gorilla ) is upto 90 kg (200 pounds).

a b Tutin, C. G. (1996). "Ranging and social structure of lowland gorillas in the Lopé Reserve, Gabon". In McGrew, W. C.; Marchant, L. F.; Nishida, T. (eds.). Great Ape Societies. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. pp.58–70. They exhibit unique social structures and behaviors strikingly similar to those of humans. Though facing multiple dangers, such as poaching, disease, and loss of their habitat, conservation efforts are underway to protect these great apes.

How strong is a gorilla?

a b Watts, D. P. (2003). "Gorilla social relationships: a comparative review". In Taylor, A. B.; Goldsmith, M. L. (eds.). Gorilla biology: a multidisciplinary perspective. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. pp.302–327.

Both groups of gorillas (critically endangered) are distinguished by a lot of variations which includes varying density, size, hair color, length, culture and even facial width. Various subspecies also exist within each specie group and the above distinctions also applies to them.Robbins, L.; Margulis, S. (2014). "The effects of auditory enrichment on gorillas". Zoo Biology. 33 (3): 197–203. doi: 10.1002/zoo.21127. PMID 24715297. a b Watts, D. P. (1991). "Mountain gorilla reproduction and sexual behavior". American Journal of Primatology. 24 (3–4): 211–225. doi: 10.1002/ajp.1350240307. PMID 31952383. S2CID 85023681. The cross river gorrila is the rarest of the two western subspecies and also of the four extant gorilla subspecies — with populations estimated to be fewer than 300 individuals. In Cameroon's Lebialem highlands, folk stories connect people and gorillas via totems; a gorilla's death means the connected person will die also. This creates a local conservation ethic. [106] Many different indigenous peoples interact with wild gorillas. [106] Some have detailed knowledge; the Baka have words to distinguish at least ten types of gorilla individuals, by sex, age, and relationships. [106] In 1861, alongside tales of hunting enormous gorillas, the traveller and anthropologist Paul Du Chaillu reported the Cameroonian story that a pregnant woman who sees a gorilla will give birth to one. [106] [107]