Eastern Gorilla

• Common Name: Eastern Gorilla
• Taxonomy Classification Year: 1903
• Monkey Size: 150 to 185 cm (59.06 to 72.83 in)
• Skin Color(s): Blue-black to brownish-grey
• Habitat: Rainforest, mountains
• Diet: Omnivorous
• Native Countries: Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda

The eastern gorilla^[1] is an endangered species of the Gorilla genus and the largest living primate, with an average length of 150 cm for females and 185 cm for males.

• They are very sexually dimorphic, with females weighing between 70 and 114 kg and males weighing, on average 160 kg.
• There are two sub-species of Eastern Gorilla: mountain gorilla (G. b. beringei) and eastern lowland gorilla (G. b. graueri).
• They have a stocky body, massive heads, long muscular arms, and short legs, and males have large, sharp canines.
• The eastern gorilla’s fur is long and silky, ranging from bluish-black to brownish-gray.
• Adult males develop a large patch of gray or silver fur on their backs, giving them the alternative name silverbacks.
• Eastern gorillas are distinguished from other gorillas by having shorter arms, a smaller nose, larger jaws and teeth, and longer hair.

What Do Gorillas Eat?

Gorillas are warm-blooded mammals occupy the forest floor layer of the tropical rainforests. What do gorillas eat? Are gorillas herbivores or omnivores? Explore the answers to all these questions & more.

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The Eastern Gorilla consumes these animals and plants including^[¶]:

• Tail Grape (Artabotrys)
• Forest Newtonia (Newtonia buchananii).
• Chinese Banyan (Ficus thonningii).
• St. Johnswort (Hypericum)
• Fig (Ficus)
• Lemonwood (Xymalos monospora)
• Ceylon Spinach (Basella alba).
• Aframomum (Aframomum)
• Mistletoe (Viscum)
• Lyre Gurnard (Piper)
• Strawflower (Helichrysum)
• Blackberry (Rubus)
• Treebind (Cissus)
• Touch-Me-Not (Impatiens)
• Goldenleaf (Chrysophyllum)
• Boarwood (Symphonia globulifera)
• African Mammee-Apple (Mammea africana).
• Urera (Urera)
• Persimmons (Diospyros)
• Treefern (Cyathea)
• African Breadfruit (Treculia africana).
• Cane (Arundinaria)
• Rattlebox (Crotalaria)

• Eastern gorillas live in stable and cohesive family groups led by a dominant silverback male.
• They tend to have larger groups than their western relatives, comprising up to 35 individuals.
• Males defend their females and young by using their size in intimidating displays of attacks and breast thrusts.
• They are diurnal, but most foraging occurs in the morning and late afternoon. At night, they build nests by folding in vegetation, typically on the ground.
• These primates are essential in structuring plant communities as they feed on vegetation.