Western Gorilla Research Paper

This subspecies of the western gorilla is unfortunately known for being the most threatened of all subspecies. It was initially considered a new species in 1904 when it was named Gorilla diehli, but its lifestyle was unknown for many years until further research made in the 1980s produced new interesting facts about its life. Despite being considered as a species before , new information led to consider them as subspecies of the western Gorilla.

The appearance of the cross river gorilla is not very different from other subspecies. At first glance ,their body is robust and powerful , with a slightly elongate head a pronounced brow ridge. However their skull is much smaller than the western lowland gorilla , and their mouth isn’t as big as that subspecies. The have teeth , hands , and feet are apparently smaller than the western lowland

gorilla) -- each with two subspecies. The eastern lowland and mountain gorilla live in the central portions of equatorial Africa, while the western lowland and Cross River gorilla inhabit western Africa. Each subspecies exhibits morphological differences; many of which have obvious adaptive advantages, such as the longer hair, larger size and shortened forearms of mountain gorillas, which help them to survive in the cooler climate.

Diet

Unlike their two closest relatives -- humans and chimpanzees, who consume plant and animal food -- gorillas are largely herbivorous. Large gorillas may consume up to 60 pounds of leaves, grasses, shoots and bark in a day. Most of their feeding activity happens in the morning and again in the evening. Though they acquire most of their food at ground level, gorillas can climb -- western gorillas climb up to 50 feet high to access food. Gorillas rotate their use of plants within their range, which allows the forest to regenerate as they move, alleviating the need for vast territories.

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