Post by Jeff on Aug 30, 2005 0:10:30 GMT -5
Swahili Name: Gorila or N'gagi
Scientific Name: Gorilla beringei beringei
Habitat: Dense forest, rain forest
Diet: Herbivorous (vegetarian)
Gestation: About 8 1/2 months
Predators: Predominantly humans. Occasionally leopards.
Starting at age thirteen, the males' backs are covered with silver hair, the source of their name.
They can live up to 50 years.
These giants—males measure up to 1.7 m (5.6 feet) and weigh up to 200 kg (450 lbs) and females measure up to 70 cm (2.3 feet) and weigh 110 kg (250 lbs)—are introverts who hate conflict. Prolonged stress can cause deep depression that sometimes proves fatal.
Attacks by silverbacks are usually due to humans taking the wrong approach. Gorillas do not charge out of aggressiveness but because they haven't been shown the proper respect.
Gorillas are vegetarians who include over two hundred different kinds of plants in their daily menu.
The dominant male is the head of a harem, but females are allowed to take on a lover as long as the adultery remains discreet. The lovers copulate behind bushes. Females always take the initiative.
In the gorilla world, incest is prohibited.
The female, who ovulates every thirty days, gestates for eight and a half months before giving birth in a crouching position. She procreates on average every three years and can breast-feed her baby for up to seven years.
DNA tests show that gorillas share 98% of human genes. They are closer to us than chimpanzees.
With an IQ varying between 85 and 95, gorillas can communicate with us. The proof? This dialogue between Koko, a female gorilla, and American scientist Francine Patterson, who taught the gorilla sign language.
Scientific Name: Gorilla beringei beringei
Habitat: Dense forest, rain forest
Diet: Herbivorous (vegetarian)
Gestation: About 8 1/2 months
Predators: Predominantly humans. Occasionally leopards.
Starting at age thirteen, the males' backs are covered with silver hair, the source of their name.
They can live up to 50 years.
These giants—males measure up to 1.7 m (5.6 feet) and weigh up to 200 kg (450 lbs) and females measure up to 70 cm (2.3 feet) and weigh 110 kg (250 lbs)—are introverts who hate conflict. Prolonged stress can cause deep depression that sometimes proves fatal.
Attacks by silverbacks are usually due to humans taking the wrong approach. Gorillas do not charge out of aggressiveness but because they haven't been shown the proper respect.
Gorillas are vegetarians who include over two hundred different kinds of plants in their daily menu.
The dominant male is the head of a harem, but females are allowed to take on a lover as long as the adultery remains discreet. The lovers copulate behind bushes. Females always take the initiative.
In the gorilla world, incest is prohibited.
The female, who ovulates every thirty days, gestates for eight and a half months before giving birth in a crouching position. She procreates on average every three years and can breast-feed her baby for up to seven years.
DNA tests show that gorillas share 98% of human genes. They are closer to us than chimpanzees.
With an IQ varying between 85 and 95, gorillas can communicate with us. The proof? This dialogue between Koko, a female gorilla, and American scientist Francine Patterson, who taught the gorilla sign language.