Physical characteristics Gorilla

western gorilla (gorilla gorilla) , eastern gorilla (gorilla beringei)



male gorilla skull

gorillas move around knuckle-walking, although walk bipedally short distances while carrying food or in defensive situations. wild male gorillas weigh 135 195 kg (300 430 lb) while adult females weigh half as adult males @ 70–115 kg (150–250 lb). adult males 1.5 1.8 m (4 ft 11 in 5 ft 11 in) tall, arm span stretches 2.3 2.6 m (7 ft 7 in 8 ft 6 in). female gorillas shorter, smaller arm spans. adult male gorillas known silverbacks due characteristic silver hair on backs reaching hips. tallest gorilla recorded 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) silverback arm span of 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in), chest of 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in), , weight of 219 kg (483 lb), shot in alimbongo, northern kivu in may 1938. heaviest gorilla recorded 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) silverback shot in ambam, cameroon, weighed 266 kilograms (586 lb). males in captivity noted capable of reaching weights 275 kg (606 lb). gorilla facial structure described mandibular prognathism, is, mandible protrudes farther out maxilla. adult males have prominent sagittal crest.

the eastern gorilla more darkly coloured western gorilla, mountain gorilla being darkest of all. mountain gorilla has thickest hair. western lowland gorilla can brown or grayish reddish forehead. in addition, gorillas live in lowland forests more slender , agile more bulky mountain gorillas. eastern gorilla has longer face , broader chest western gorilla.

studies have shown gorilla blood not reactive anti-a , anti-b monoclonal antibodies, would, in humans, indicate type o blood. due novel sequences, though, different enough not conform human abo blood group system, other great apes fit. humans, gorillas have individual finger prints.

their eye colour dark brown, framed black ring around iris.