The gorillas are known to be the largest primates and are amazing creatures to see within their natural wild. Though the gorillas are feared by many people given their large size and strength, they are however very peaceful animals. Many people wonder about the look of the gorillas, the way they walk, move, fight and the questions about the physical characteristics of the gorillas cannot be exhausted.
How Do Gorillas Move?
The gorillas move around by knuckle-walking, although they sometimes walk biped ally for short distances while carrying food or in defensive situations.
How Big are the Gorillas?
Gorillas are very large animals. However the male gorillas are larger than the female gorillas. Wild male gorillas weigh from 135kg up to 180 kg (300 to 400 lb) while adult females usually weigh half as much from 68kg –113 kg (150–250 lb). Obese gorillas in captivity can weight as much as 270 kg (600 lb).
Height of the Gorillas
Adult males are 1.7 to 1.8 m (5.6 to 5.9 ft) tall; with an arm span that stretches from 2.3 to 2.6 m (7.5 to 8.5 ft). Females’ gorillas are shorter with smaller arm spans. Occasionally, a silverback of over 1.8 metres (5 ft 11 in) and 230 kg (510 lb) has been recorded in the wild.
How Do Gorillas Look Like?
Gorilla facial structure is described as mandibular prognathism, that is, the mandible protrudes farther out than the maxilla. Adult males also have a prominent sagittal crest.
The eastern gorilla is more darkly colored than the western gorilla, while the mountain gorilla is the darkest of all. The mountain gorilla also has the thickest hair. The western lowland gorilla can be brown or grayish with a reddish forehead. In addition, gorillas that live in lowland forests are more slender and agile than the more bulky mountain gorillas. The eastern gorilla also has a longer face and broader chest than the western gorilla.
Studies have shown gorilla blood is not reactive to anti-A and anti-B monoclonal antibodies, which would, in humans, indicate type O blood. Due to novel sequences, though, it is different enough to not conform to the human ABO blood group system, into which the other great apes fit. Like humans, gorillas have individual finger prints. Their eye color is dark brown, framed by a black ring around the iris. Similar to humans, the leading cause of death in gorillas is cardiovascular disease.