Eastern Gorilla vs. Western Gorilla

Attribute	Eastern Gorilla	Western Gorilla
Scientific Name	Gorilla beringei	Gorilla gorilla
Subspecies	2 (Mountain Gorilla and Eastern Lowland Gorilla)	2 (Western Lowland Gorilla and Cross River Gorilla)
Geographic Range	Eastern Africa (Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo)	Western Africa (Cameroon, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea)
Population	Estimated around 5,000 individuals	Estimated around 100,000 individuals
Size	Generally larger and heavier	Generally smaller and lighter

Physical Characteristics

Eastern Gorillas are the largest living primates, with males reaching up to 6 feet in height and weighing around 400 pounds. They have longer and darker fur compared to Western Gorillas, with a blackish-grey coloration. Their hands and feet are broad and their faces are black with a large sagittal crest on top of their skulls. Western Gorillas, on the other hand, are slightly smaller in size, with males reaching up to 5.5 feet in height and weighing around 350 pounds. They have a brownish-grey fur color and a more pronounced brow ridge.

Behavior

Eastern Gorillas are primarily herbivores, feeding on fruits, leaves, and stems. They are known to be more terrestrial than Western Gorillas, spending more time on the ground rather than in trees. Eastern Gorillas live in stable, cohesive groups led by a dominant silverback male. Western Gorillas, on the other hand, have a more varied diet that includes insects and small animals in addition to fruits and leaves. They are more arboreal, spending a significant amount of time in trees. Western Gorillas also live in stable social groups led by a dominant silverback male.

Habitat

Eastern Gorillas are found in the mountainous forests of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda. They prefer higher elevations and cooler temperatures compared to Western Gorillas. Western Gorillas, on the other hand, are found in the lowland forests of Cameroon, Nigeria, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Congo. They thrive in the dense rainforests of Central Africa, where they have adapted to the hot and humid climate.

Population and Conservation Status

Eastern Gorillas are classified as Endangered by the IUCN, with only around 5,000 individuals left in the wild. They face threats such as habitat loss, poaching, and disease. The two subspecies of Eastern Gorillas, the Grauer's Gorilla and the Mountain Gorilla, are both facing population declines. Western Gorillas, on the other hand, are classified as Critically Endangered, with only around 100,000 individuals remaining in the wild. They are also threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and disease, with the Cross River Gorilla being the most endangered of the two subspecies.

Reproduction

Eastern Gorillas have a slow reproductive rate, with females giving birth to one offspring every 3 to 4 years. The gestation period is around 8.5 months, and the young gorillas are dependent on their mothers for several years. Western Gorillas have a similar reproductive rate, with females giving birth to one offspring every 3 to 4 years. The gestation period is also around 8.5 months, and the young gorillas are dependent on their mothers for several years as well.