CLASSIFICATION
Gorillas belong to the:
* Kingdom Animalia (all animals)
* Phylum Chordata
* Subphylum Vertebrata (animals with backbones)
* Class Mammalia (warm-blooded animals with fur and mammary glands)
* Order Primates (which is comprised of 11 families, including lemurs, monkeys, marmosets, lesser apes, great apes, and humans)
* Family Pongidae (the great apes, including gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans)
* Genus Gorilla (gorillas and orangutans)
* Species gorilla
Gorillas are the largest living primates. Gorillas are divided into two species and four or five sub specie. Below we look at the different species of gorillas;
- Cross River Gorillas
Cross river gorillas are considered as the world’s most critically endangered sub-species and they were first captured on camera for the first time in the wild in 2012, it is surprising that as we talk now there estimated 300 cross river gorillas that that are left in the world but there is hope for the number to increase. This gorilla species look similar to their western lowland cousins, however with smaller and shorter skulls.
Where they are found: The largest number these species live in Nigeria but they’re also found in the south west Cameroon and it’s were they filmed).
- Mountain Gorillas
Mountain gorillas is the most famous of all gorillas and they are the one most likely to see since they are habituated to human standards , gorilla tourism is a mainstay of both Uganda and Rwanda ‘s economies as they are the most favorites for gorilla tracking among any other countries in the wild where these species live. Many travelers whole over the world prefer tracking in these two countries as gorillas in these countries are considered peaceful and they can be met eye to eye in their natural habitat. They are Shaggy with sideburns. Meeting these species is Often called a ‘perfect hour’ by people who’ve met them; visits to habituated groups are well controlled. But only poachers who are still a big problem to these apes. There is an estimated 900 mountain gorillas that are left in the world and no one with communicable diseases is allowed to meet them.
Where they are found: Mountain gorillas are found in South Western Uganda. There are two parks where these great apes live; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga gorilla forest national park. In Rwanda these species live in the north western part of the country in Volcanoes national park. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, mountain gorillas live in the eastern part of the county in Virunga national park. Many people from all over the world travel to Africa to enjoy gorilla trekking with in Uganda and Rwanda.
- Eastern Lowland Gorilla
The eastern lowland gorillas are regarded as the largest sub-species among the four gorilla species, and a bit of a smooth operator: they have longer faces; they’re less shaggy and more muscular than the other eastern species (mountain gorilla). The eastern lowland gorillas also hold the record for the largest gorilla recorded asilverback (a silver back because of the silver hair that develops on its back) measuring 1.94m, which was shot in 1938. There is an estimation of over 5,000 individuals left in the wild, but the population fell during the Democratic Republic Congo’s civil war due to bush meat hunting and medicines.
Where they are found: Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Western Lowland Gorilla
These gorilla species are commonly seen in zoos and those who have ever got this chance have seen many in zoos (Gorilla gorilla). However, the world’s most extensive gorilla is actually quite tricky to see in the wild. They have short, brownish-black coats and ginger crowns. It is believed that there are up to 200,000 individuals left in the wild; threats to these species of gorillas include bush meat hunting, habitat loss and disease.
Where they are found: Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.