Western gorillas[1], also known as lowland gorillas, are herbivorous, primarily terrestrial apes that inhabit equatorial Africa’s Tropical Rainforests.
- Western gorillas are incredibly large and powerful primates. They have no tail and black skin. Facial features include a short snout, large nostrils, a prominent brow ridge, and small ears and eyes.
- Western gorillas have large jaw muscles and large, strong teeth. Thick, dark hair drapes the entire body except for the ears, face, feet, and hands.
- In general, older male species’ hair on the back and chest turns gray and disappears with age. This color pattern has led to older males being known as “silverbacks“.
- There are two sub-species of Western Gorilla – Western lowland Gorilla and Cross River Gorilla.
- Western gorillas have a slightly browner/grey pelage with shorter hair and are generally slightly smaller than mountain gorillas.
