Western lowland gorilla
At the Detroit Zoo
Half-brothers Chipua (born in 1996), Pendeka (born in 1998) and Kongo-Mbeli (born in 1998) arrived from the Bronx Zoo in 2003 and can be seen at the Great Apes of Harambee – located in the African Forest – a 4-acre habitat that also houses chimpanzees and drills. The primates spend their days foraging, grooming and playing, just as they would in their native African environment.
Description
The western lowland gorilla is a large, muscular primate. It has black skin and coarse hair ranging in color from brown to grey. The hair on the back of the male will turn silver-gray with age, earning it the name “silverback”. It has small ears, large nostrils, a well-defined brow and a short muzzle.
Scientific name: Gorilla gorilla gorilla
Continent: Africa
Habitat: Dense rainforests
Size: 4-6 feet tall
Weight: Males can be 400-600 pounds; females can be 150-250 pounds.
Diet: The western lowland gorilla is an herbivore and mainly eats leaves and stems of herbs, shrubs and vines.
Reproduction: Gestation nine months; single offspring
Lifespan: 31-37 years
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
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