Habitat: Mountain gorillas live in the mountainous regions of the Virunga Mountains, which span the borders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. River gorillas, on the other hand, live in the lowland rainforests of the Congo Basin, primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Physical Characteristics: Mountain gorillas tend to be larger than river gorillas, with males reaching heights of up to 6 feet and weighing up to 400 pounds. River gorillas, on the other hand, are generally smaller, with males reaching heights of up to 5 feet and weighing up to 350 pounds. Mountain gorillas also have longer, thicker fur than river gorillas, which helps them to stay warm in their cooler mountain habitat.
Diet: Both mountain gorillas and river gorillas are primarily herbivorous, with their diet consisting mainly of vegetation such as leaves, shoots, stems, and fruits. Mountain gorillas are known to consume a wider variety of plant foods, including bamboo and celery, while river gorillas tend to focus on a more limited range of plant foods. Additionally, river gorillas are more likely to consume insects and small invertebrates than mountain gorillas.
Social Behavior: Mountain gorillas and river gorillas live in social groups led by a dominant male, known as a silverback. These social groups typically range in size from 5 to 30 individuals, including females and their offspring. However, mountain gorilla groups tend to be more cohesive and stable than river gorilla groups, with stronger social bonds and less frequent instances of fission-fusion (when individuals split off from the main group and form smaller, temporary groups).
Conservation Status: Both mountain gorillas and river gorillas are critically endangered species, facing numerous threats to their survival. Mountain gorillas are primarily threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict, while river gorillas face additional threats from hunting for meat and capture for the illegal pet trade. Conservation efforts are underway to protect both subspecies and ensure their long-term survival.
Overall, while mountain gorillas and river gorillas share many similarities, their differences in habitat, physical characteristics, diet, social behavior, and conservation status highlight their distinct adaptations to their respective environments and the challenges they face in the wild.