Gorilla vs. Howler Monkey

Attribute	Gorilla	Howler Monkey
Species	Gorilla	Howler Monkey
Size	Large	Medium
Color	Black or brown	Mostly brown
Diet	Herbivorous	Primarily herbivorous
Habitat	Forests	Forests
Behavior	Generally peaceful	Loud vocalizations

Physical Attributes

Gorillas are the largest primates in the world, with males weighing up to 400 pounds and standing up to 6 feet tall. They have a stocky build, with broad chests and muscular arms. Gorillas have a prominent sagittal crest on their heads, which is a ridge of bone that provides attachment for their powerful jaw muscles. In contrast, Howler monkeys are much smaller, weighing around 15-22 pounds and measuring about 2-3 feet in length. They have long tails that are prehensile, meaning they can grasp and hold onto objects.

Habitat

Gorillas are primarily found in the forests of central Africa, where they live in groups called troops. They are herbivores, feeding on leaves, stems, and fruits. Gorillas are known to be territorial and will defend their territory from other groups. Howler monkeys, on the other hand, are found in the forests of Central and South America. They are arboreal creatures, spending most of their time in the trees. Howler monkeys are known for their loud, distinctive calls that can be heard up to 3 miles away.

Social Structure

Gorillas live in cohesive groups led by a dominant male known as a silverback. The silverback is responsible for protecting the group and making decisions about where to forage and rest. Female gorillas and their offspring make up the rest of the group. Howler monkeys, on the other hand, live in smaller groups of about 6-15 individuals. These groups are typically led by an alpha male, who is the largest and most dominant male in the group. Howler monkeys are known for their close-knit social bonds and will groom each other to strengthen these relationships.

Behavior

Gorillas are generally peaceful animals, but they can become aggressive if they feel threatened. They will beat their chests, charge, and make loud vocalizations to intimidate rivals. Gorillas are also known for their gentle nature, often seen playing with each other and caring for their young. Howler monkeys, on the other hand, are known for their territorial behavior. They will defend their territory by vocalizing loudly and displaying aggressive behaviors. Howler monkeys are also known for their slow movements and deliberate actions, taking their time to carefully navigate their forest environment.

Diet

Gorillas are herbivores, primarily feeding on leaves, stems, and fruits. They have a specialized digestive system that allows them to extract nutrients from tough plant material. Gorillas spend a large portion of their day foraging for food, using their hands to pick and eat vegetation. Howler monkeys, on the other hand, have a diet that consists mainly of leaves, fruits, and flowers. They have a complex stomach that allows them to ferment plant material, extracting nutrients from it. Howler monkeys are known to be selective feeders, choosing only the ripest and most nutritious food available.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Gorillas and Howler monkeys are both fascinating primates with unique attributes. Gorillas are known for their large size, peaceful nature, and complex social structure. Howler monkeys, on the other hand, are smaller in size, territorial in behavior, and have a distinctive vocalization. While they may have differences in physical attributes, habitat, social structure, behavior, and diet, both Gorillas and Howler monkeys play important roles in their respective ecosystems and are vital to the biodiversity of the planet.