GORILLA SKULL SKIN

The mountain gorilla lives in central Africa, in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This subspecies shows sexual dimorphism, which is not always evident.Įstimations indicate that there are only about 300 mature individuals left in the wild. An adult male has an average height of 1.50 meters and weighs 195 kilograms, but the female is only 1.30 meters tall and weighs about 100 kg. The mountain gorilla has a smaller size than the eastern lowland gorilla. They walk supported on their knuckles, but they can stand on their feet for a few moments and walk this way up to 6 meters. Their intestines are long enough to digest the foliage properly, and that is the reason for his prominent abdomen. They have a large brain relative to their body size, strong jaws and 32 teeth adapted to a herbivorous diet. Their stocky body, broad and rounded abdomen, long arms, narrow chest and elongated skull distinguish them from other primates. Males develop a layer of silvery gray fur on the back and thighs, which grants them the name of “ silverback” but not all become leaders of their group. This coat is not present in the face, hands, feet, and ears that are hairless. However, their back hair is shorter compared to the rest of their body.

GORILLA SKULL SKIN

Their skin is thicker, and their dark fur longer and denser than the eastern lowland gorilla, to protect them from the low temperatures of their habitat. The mountain gorilla differs somewhat from the eastern lowland gorilla ( Gorilla beringei graueri) due to the habitat where they live. The word “beringei” of its scientific name comes from the surname of Captain Robert von Beringe Friedrich, a man who in 1902 shot two animals, previously virtually unknown, which were mountain gorillas. The mountain gorilla, who got recognition after the research of the legendary primatologist Dian Fossey, is one of the world’s most endangered primates.

Gorilla skull