How to Differentiate Individual Gorillas

Three subspecies of gorillas exist: the western lowland gorilla (gorilla gorilla), the mountain gorilla (gorilla beringei) and the eastern lowland gorilla (gorilla graueri). Gorillas live on the continent of Africa on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes and in the rainforests. They are social animals that live in family units with a single mature male, the silverback. Gorillas communicate with each other through touch, smell, sight and sound. These are some of the traits that the subspecies share; however, they also each have different features and habits that set them apart from the others.

Things You'll Need

  • Notebook
  • Writing implement
Show More

Instructions

  1. Habitat and Lifestyle

    • 1

      Note in which country the gorillas have been observed. The mountain gorilla can be found in Rwanda, Uganda, and Zaire. Western lowland gorillas inhabit Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Nigeria. Eastern lowland gorillas can be found in the country of Zaire.

    • 2

      Examine the terrain. Mountain gorillas live on the Virunga volcanoes in the hagenia woodlands. The lowland subspecies prefer the swampy lowlands of the rainforest. All three gorilla subspecies prefer forest areas that allow light through to the forest floor.

    • 3

      Study the gorilla to determine its diet. The lowland gorillas eat more fruit than the mountain gorillas, which prefer the leaves of the hagenia and hypericum trees along with wild celery. The western lowland gorillas of Gabon will eat the weaver ant along with other insects.

    • 4

      Observe the size of the group. On average, the eastern lowland gorillas live in groups of 11, western lowlands in families of 5 and mountain gorillas in a group size of 6.

    Physical Differences

    • 5

      Note the color of the animal's fur. Both the eastern lowland and the mountain gorilla have black fur, while the western lowland gorilla's coat is more of a brownish-gray color with red highlights.

    • 6

      Note the length of the coat. Mountain gorillas have longer hair than the other two subspecies.

    • 7

      Observe the silverback of the group. The western lowland silverbacks tend to have silver hairs not only on their back, but also down the thighs and buttocks.

    Individuals

    • 8

      Observe the group as a whole and take note of any obvious differences in the physical traits of the gorillas. For instance, the fur on one's head may be bushier or a lighter shade than the others in the group.

    • 9

      Study the individual nuances of the gorillas. On observing a group, you may notice that an individual's gait varies from the others, or perhaps one has a different-sounding call.

    • 10

      Observe the nose. The only conclusive method of differentiating individual gorillas is by the pattern on the nose, which is similar to human fingerprints in that each one is unique.