Species: There are 2 species of Gorilla, the Eastern Gorilla and the Western Gorilla.

Lifespan: In the wild, Gorillas live to be between 30 and 40 years old. When kept in captivity Gorillas can live to be 50 years old.

Size & Weight: Male Gorillas grow to be between 5.5 to 6ft and about 300 to 500 lbs. Female Gorillas are much smaller than males and are about 5 ft tall and between 150 to 200 lbs.

Habitat: Gorillas (depending upon which species and subspecies) inhabit the rain forests, mountain slopes, bamboo forests,and lowland Rain forests of Africa.

Family Life: There can be anywhere from 5 to 30 Gorillas in a single Gorilla troop. The troops are lead and protected by a large, mature Gorilla called a Silverback. Silverbacks are usually 12 years old and older, they get their name from the grey "silver" hair that they have on their backs. Because a Gorilla never spends more than a night in the same nest (Gorilla made beds) and spends it's days in search of new food, one of the silverbacks important tasks is to lead the troop on their journey to new places. If the silverback of the troop dies, the whole troop will separate and look for a new silverback to protect them. Sometimes a silverback will come into the troop and take the old silverbacks place.

Diet: Gorillas eat up to 40 lbs of food a day. They are mostly vegetarian and feed on fruit, roots, seeds, and leaves. Occasionally they eat ants and termites.

*Fun Facts*

• Gorilla's nose prints are all as unique and different as fingerprints
• Gorillas sleep in nests made of grass and leaves.
• Gorillas have color vision
• Full grown male Gorillas are about twice the size of a female