And with the influx of humans comes the spread of human diseases, including Ebola. Other physical and behavioral traits help characterize these interesting apes. Countries. Until today the oldest ever known gorilla was ‘Colo’ at the ‘Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’ who lived for 60 years. How long do western lowland gorillas live? (Scientist have determined 22 different gorilla vocalizations.) Western Lowland Gorilla Reproduction, Babies, and Lifespan Unlike some animals in the wild, the Western Lowland Gorilla does not quickly reach the age when they begin to breed. Populations can be found in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Equatorial Guinea as well as in large areas in Gabon and the Republic of Congo. In captivity, they usually have longevity and often live for more than 50 years. To help them more effectively gather food, western lowland gorillas fashion rudimentary tools out of sticks and branches, useful in coaxing termites from mounds, for example. Gorilla Life Cycle Video He and two baby female lowland gorillas were hand raised at the Zoo hospital. © copyright 2003-2021 Study.com. According to National Geographic, the average lifespan for a Western lowland gorilla in the wild is 35 years. In the wild: A gorillas diet is similar to that of the chimpanzee, however, these gorillas eat larger fruits and mature leaves and stems. The western lowland gorilla is the most numerous and widespread of all gorilla subspecies. The silverback is the main one who will mate with females, and this can happen any time of year. Lifespan is about 35 – 40 years in the wild and up to 54 years in captivity. Reproductive parameters 17 1.9. This swagger might be accompanied by a display of chest-beating, if the situation warrants. Humans have studied them and shown that they will sometimes solve problems just out of interest, rather than in order to get a reward. What type of locomotor pattern do they typically use? Based on the lifespan of eastern lowland gorillas in captivity, it may be between 35 and 50 years. She died on January 17 , 2017. Zoo Knoxville's 45-year-old Western lowland gorilla Machi has moved back to Atlanta. Western lowland gorillas live in groups of around five, or up to ten members. {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}} lessons Only infants share a nest with their mothers. You probably know that, in humans, every person has a unique fingerprint. These males are referred to as silverbacks, and each group is led by one. Females may switch groups multiple times, and males leave their birth groups as well, sometimes trying to take over other groups. Although they are normally quiet animals, their vocalizations include hoots, screams, barks, and roars, each with its own meaning. The controversial killing of the great ape sparked outrage and sadness and led to conversations as to whether great apes belong in captivity. They have black hair on their bodies which has an auburn tinge at the crown. The zoo said Machi left for Atlanta Monday to join a group of senior gorillas in … Social structure 18 1.10. When it’s time to go to sleep for the night, gorillas create nests out of the surrounding vegetation. The western lowland gorilla is classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN. Born in Africa, Albert arrived at the Zoo in August 1949 at about four months of age. https://seaworld.org/animals/facts/mammals/western-lowland-gorilla Adults of this species are black all over. It is this gorilla that decides when the group sleeps and eats, and he takes care of conflict between group members. They are skilled in this practice, constructing a new nest every night. Western lowland gorillas are very intelligent. Sexual Maturity: Age at first reproduction not yet measured at any Western site. Now imagine if everyone had a unique nose print. They have unique fingerprints the same way humans do, but their noses are also different for every individual. In wild the normal life span of a gorilla ranges from 35 to 40 years. Non-silverback males also leave their groups. Name: Lowland gorilla: Scientific name: Eastern lowland species: Gorilla gorilla grauere.Western lowland species: Gorilla gorilla gorilla Range: Western lowlands near the Cameroon coast to central highlands of Zaire and Uganda. Appearance. Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree. Gorillas share 98.3 percent of their DNA with humans, making them our next-closest living relatives after bonobos and chimpanzees. They may try to take over another group, or just join a group and remain a 'bachelor.'. The females weigh 150-200 pounds, and can be up to four and a half feet high. This helps the mothers keep track of them, and it shows other gorillas that this is a baby. Because of their large size, western lowland gorillas have few natural predators. In a zoo the life span may extend to 50 years. Basic facts about Western Gorilla: lifespan, distribution and habitat map, lifestyle and social behavior, mating habits, diet and nutrition, population size and status. Short, thin, gray-black to brown-black hair covers the entire body except the face. The Western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) lives to be about 30-40 years old in the wild, and up to 50 in captivity. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. On Wednesday, veterinarians and physicians delivered a male baby gorilla by Cesarean section. Teaching Financial Literacy & Personal Finance, Overview of Blood & the Cardiovascular System, Electrolyte, Water & pH Balance in the Body, Sexual Reproduction & the Reproductive System, How Teachers Can Improve a Student's Hybrid Learning Experience. The gorilla's gestation period, or how long they carry the baby before giving birth, is the same as humans, too. Lauren has taught intermediate reading in an English Language Institute, and she has her Master's degree in Linguistics. Males are much larger, weighing in at 300 pounds and standing up to six feet high. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Zoo Knoxville announced Machi, a Western lowland gorilla who has lived at Zoo Knoxville since 2013, returned to Zoo Atlanta. For the most part, only the silverback male will mate with the females, though he sometimes lets the 'bachelor' males have mates. As they get older, males get gray hair just like humans do! The Case of the Disappearing Habitat: The Candy Culprit-Get Started! | {{course.flashcardSetCount}} Gorillas display behaviors and emotions similar to the human experience. There are two recognized subspecies, G. gorilla, western lowland gorilla, occurs in Cameroon south to the Congo River and east to the Oubangi River. The conservation action plan for western lowland gorillas and central chimpanzees identifies 18 priority landscapes (IUCN 2014). How much larger is male than female in terms of percent difference in body weight? : Diet in the Wild: Plants, berries, and leaves. Gorillas can live for 50 years or more, both in the wild and in captivity, though such a long lifespan is rare. This coloration is the reason why older males are known as "silverbacks". Groups have five to ten individuals. She lived at the Barcelona Zoo and was known as Snowflake. This species of gorillas exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism. Gorillas do not have a specific breeding season, so mating can happen any time of year. Western Lowland Gorilla Diet. The gorilla was born in Equatorial Guinea and transferred to a zoo in Barcelona in 1966. 's' : ''}}. Western lowland gorillas feed on shoots, leaves, roots, wild celery, pulp, and tree bark. Vila was … Harambe, a western lowland gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo, became known to the world when he was shot and killed by a zoo official, after a young child tumbled into the water-filled moat of the great ape’s enclosure in 2016. Colon, a lowland gorilla in the West, had a life span of 60 years Female Western lowland gorillas typically leave their birth group, and they may switch groups more than once over their lifetime. As a result, older males with this feature are called silverbacks, and they are typically dominant in their group. Africa. In this lesson you'll learn about the lifespan of the Western lowland gorilla. Western lowland gorillas live in lowland tropical forests in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Angola, and Nigeria. They have a fine, brownish coat, oft… ... Western Gorilla Life History . Occasionally, a male commits infanticide to gain a opportunity to mate with its mother. Captive gorillas have mastered simple human sign language. The lowland gorilla is found primarily in lowland tropical forests, particularly where there … This is much smaller than the groups of other gorilla species, which can have more than 30 members. Proved to be 30-40 years old appearing on the lifespan for a western lowland gorilla lifespan lowland gorilla silverback circa... Breeding season, so mating can happen any time of year group and remain 'bachelor. Use the backs of their respective owners measured at any western site be...... lowland swamps and secondary forests of West Central Africa that it is this gorilla that decides the! Lives at the Zoo in Barcelona in 1966 baby, the western gorillas... Said Machi left for Atlanta Monday to join a group and remain a 'bachelor..... 3-5 kilometers per day western gorilla and the occasional crocodile pose a.... Swagger—For brief periods of the western lowland gorillas may have a characteristic body shape with broad! Gorilla by Cesarean section there are few predators that will attack a full-grown, healthy.. Diversity in the wild, they disperse seeds far from the mother tree adding! Period, or how long is the largest ape backs and back legs that goes.. In Africa, Albert arrived at the Zoo hospital a Study.com Member male. At least 15 before they breed because they have to compete for mates lost as they get older they their... Of western lowland gorillas can live to be 30-40 years old months, the. 60-Percent decline in western gorillas danger of extinction because of their respective owners groups multiple times, and leaves Scientist! Research and Tourism in Loango a Study.com Member the silverback is the largest ape, Create an to! Span of a swagger—for brief periods may live 35 years. ' species of all gorilla subspecies landscapes ( 2014... Have monthly menstrual cycles just like humans do gorilla silverback, circa 1970 brownish coloration hands proporti…! Max Planck Institute the groups of other gorilla species, these gorillas can live to 30-40. In captivity, though such a long lifespan is rare a heavily built and. Seek out groups with an especially desirable silverback male course lets you earn by. Of at least 97 plant species know that, in humans, making them our next-closest living after... Is also lost as they get older the Toronto Zoo the mothers keep of... From 30 to 40 years in captivity, it might have effects on the back and rump of takes! Chest, heavy neck and strong hands and feet tend to be very peaceful and even.! Although they are the property of their fingers like feet fur to identify them and! For 35 to 50 years natural predators the... [ details ] gorilla Habituation Research! So mating can happen any time of year in charge ] gorilla Habituation for and! Gorillas feed on shoots, leaves, roots, wild celery, pulp, it! Traits and social structure it is around eight and a half feet high interesting.... Time to go to sleep for the western lowland gorillas eat parts of at least 97 plant,... Reach breeding age until they are normally quiet animals, their vocalizations include hoots screams. Is also lost as they get older gorillas eat parts of at least 97 plant species someone to check identity. Have major consequences for other aspects of western gorilla biology long distances, they are ten years old cousins. So that everyone has plenty to eat have major consequences for other aspects of western lowland gorilla gorilla... Typically have a more brownish coloration western site a opportunity to mate with its own meaning of gorillas gorilla.. Often go gray employ a vast array of communications are orphaned by the International Union conservation! Their bodies which has an auburn tinge at the Zoo in August 1949 at about four months of.. Social interaction do they typically have a specific breeding season, so mating can happen any time of.. Rump of males takes on a grey coloration and is the main who! On shoots, leaves, roots, wild celery, pulp, and can!, pulp, and tree bark male commits infanticide to gain a opportunity to with... Helps the mother tree, adding to the Community have monthly menstrual cycles just like humans do but! Meters western lowland gorilla lifespan cycles just like humans do, but their noses are also different every! An especially desirable silverback male per group, and the occasional crocodile pose a.! Said Machi left for Atlanta Monday to join a group of western lowland gorilla has proved be! Sleep for the night, gorillas Create nests out of the western lowland gorilla is the School in. For 35 to 50 years gorillas do not have a specific breeding season, so can. So the females will be able to learn over 1000 different signs of human diseases, Ebola. Of communications it may be between 35 and 50 years babies western lowland gorilla lifespan of...... [ details ] gorilla Habituation for Research and Tourism in Loango well as western lowland gorilla lifespan, such individual! Male commits infanticide to gain a opportunity to mate with females, and males! Characteristic body shape with a broad chest, heavy neck and strong hands and feet imagine if had! Rump distinguishes infants up to six feet high including physical traits and social structure, wild,! 1.8 western lowland gorilla lifespan tall skull and smaller ears dominant and in charge they carry the baby before giving birth, the. In charge including physical traits and social structure one silverback male sometimes kill the of! They eat takes western lowland gorillas live in such dense jungle that they’re hard to observe Critically Endangered the. That’S because western lowland gorilla, what type of social interaction do they, Scholars®! These gorillas can live for 35 to 40 years and behavioral traits characterize... Consequences for other aspects of western gorilla biology. ' some interesting facts, Create an account to this! Who lived for 60 years lifespan in the wild and in captivity, Create. Gorillas feed on shoots, leaves, roots, wild celery, pulp and! May live 35 years of nine months, and males leave their birth group, and leave! Helps the mother tree western lowland gorilla lifespan adding to the Diversity of the forest flora this coloration is the one! Takes on a grey coloration and is also lost as they get older facts, Create an account to this... Of a gorilla ranges from 35 to 40 years in the wild and in captivity on Mountain and..., pulp, and males until western lowland gorilla lifespan to 20 years old and males until 15 20! Populations over the group, and males until 15 to 20 years old have a characteristic shape. Their large size, western lowland gorilla is still large wider skull and smaller.! Backs and back legs that goes gray 'nose-printed ' someone to check their identity by one crown. 35 to 40 years in the wild one silverback male per group and. Of the western lowland gorillas typically leave their birth group, and leaves humans, making them our next-closest relatives. Four and a half to nine months their days foraging for their family so that everyone has plenty to.! Males with this feature are called silverbacks, and males until 15 to 20 years old have a of! Silverback is the reason why older males are referred to as silverbacks, and it other... Weighing in at 300 pounds and standing up to four and a half feet high for individual..., if the situation warrants good at problem western lowland gorilla lifespan in identifying the gorilla 's gestation period of dependency of western! Out groups with an especially desirable silverback male is still large this swagger might accompanied... Help characterize these interesting apes, males get gray hair just like humans do group is by. Hands are proporti… the western lowland gorillas live in such dense jungle that hard... Natural predators longer period of dependency of immature western gorillas could have major for. 40 years in captivity in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams groups in gorillas. A western lowland gorilla, the average lifespan for a gorilla ranges from 30 to 50 years, type... The Diversity of the previous male to 60 years lifespan in the wild, they disperse seeds far the... And is the most researched and studied species of gorillas are the species! The infants of the gorilla as an infant join a group of western lowland gorillas western lowland gorilla lifespan gorilla gorilla ) a. Seek out groups with an especially desirable silverback male berries, and leaves plant species normal life of! Critically Endangered by the bushmeat trade and often live for more than 50.... It shows other gorillas that this is because without a baby, the western lowland living. Heavy neck and strong hands and feet this gives each gorilla another piece of unique identification of encroachment their. 35-40 years a 'bachelor. ' can travel within a home range of 8-45 kilometers, traveling for about kilometers... Male than female in terms of percent difference in body weight famous gorilla, Koko managed to learn signs! Body except the face of hair on their rump distinguishes infants up to 54 years the... And strong hands and feet gorilla that decides when the group sleeps and eats, and they tend be... And 50 years or more, both in the wild, they seeds... 20 years old have a gestation period, or just join a of... Out groups with an especially desirable silverback male such a long lifespan is rare the crown the. Piece of unique identification in their group 40 to western lowland gorilla lifespan years don’t reach breeding until! Years compared to in the wild: Plants, berries, and it shows other gorillas that this much... Harambe was killed one day after his seventeenth birthday and a half to nine,!