Do Many Species of Gorillas Exist?

When travelers hear of gorillas, they generalize them as one specie. Surprisingly even in the past, scientists classified these Great Apes as one specie- “Gorilla gorillas”, with three sub-species. Not long ago, experts made a decision to divide them into two separate species known as the Eastern and Western gorillas. These two species differ externally in different characteristics. The noses of the latter are broader than those of the former.

Each of the two gorilla species is also subdivided into two sub-species, hence experts recognize four gorilla sub-species. For both gorilla species, silver-grey hairs extend from their backs to their upper thighs and hips.

Eastern gorillas have darker hairs (except the silver-grey backs of male gorillas) while the hairs of western gorillas can become brownish or grey in both females and males.

Western Gorillas

Western Gorillas are huge and robust, and their males weigh approximately 370 pounds. Their heirs are also slightly lighter in color than their counterparts (the Eastern Gorillas). They have black, dark brown-grey, or dark gray hairs on their bodies as well as brownish foreheads. On average, a mature male western gorilla weighs 370 pounds while a female weighs 128 to 159 pounds.

The two recognized sub-species of western gorillas are Cross River Gorillas (or Gorilla gorilla diehli) and the western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla).

Cross River Gorillas

These critically endangered gorilla sub-species are limited to a small range in the West African region, at the border of Nigeria and Cameroon. There are about 250 to 300 Cross River Gorillas left in the wild, hence making them the least populated gorilla sub-species.

Western lowland gorillas

There are about 95,000 individuals in the Gorilla gorilla gorilla (or western lowland gorillas) sub-specie, hence making them the highest number among the four sub-species. These live in the West African countries of Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Gabon, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, Gabon, and Cameroon.

Eastern Gorillas

The Eastern Gorillas are scientifically known as “Gorilla Beringei” and are known as the largest living primates with large heads, long arms, and broad chests. Their noses are flat with large nostrils. Their hairs are also darker while their feet, faces, breasts, and hands are bald.

A mature male Eastern gorilla typically weighs from 309 to 453 pounds, with a standing height of 5.6feet while a mature female weighs from 200 to 220 pounds with a standing height of 4.9 feet. The Eastern gorillas are subdivided into two sub-species; including the Eastern lowland gorillas and Mountain gorillas.

Eastern lowland gorillas

Eastern lowland gorillas, scientifically known as Gorilla beringei graueri are only found in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. There are about 3800 individuals in this sub-specie and are known for being the largest of the four sub-species, weighing up to 440 pounds. They have short muzzles, stocky bodies, and large hands.

Mountain Gorillas

Gorilla beringei beringei, also mountain gorillas are restricted to the Subalpine and mountainous rainforests of only three countries- south-west Uganda, North-west Rwanda, and the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Only about 1063 mountain gorillas exist in these three countries. The majority of Maranatha Tours and Travel gorillas tours lead travelers to the Eastern Gorillas (both mountain and Eastern lowland gorillas) in their natural habitats.

Best time to see the Gorillas

Of all the four gorilla sub-species, the mountain and Eastern lowland gorillas are the most visited, with well-developed systems in the countries these Giant Apes are found. All year-round gorilla trekking tours are undertaken, but experiences will vary across seasons. However, the dry months are the best months to track the Eastern lowland and mountain gorillas. These months are marked by drier forest trails and scarcer vegetation cover. These conditions make it less challenging to walk through the jungles while searching for the Giant Apes.