The Gorilla

The GorillaBy: Mia Bizjak

IntroductionI chose the gorilla, because I think they are interesting. Another reason I chose the gorilla is because I think they are funny. I think they are funny because they have big heads. I also chose the gorilla because there is many different types. One of the types I know about is a silverback. I think gorillas have many interesting body characteristics, thats one thing Im looking forward to learning more about. I am looking forward to learning more about gorillas, and sharing the information with you!

Body CharacteristicsHere is what the gorillas size, weight, looks, color, and body parts are. Did you know a full grown male may stand six feet tall? Male gorillas can weigh up to 400 pounds, but female only weigh up to 200 pounds. Gorillas heads are large with a sloping forehead and small ears. Gorillas have a jutting jaw with 32 teeth. All gorillas have brownish-blackish eyes close together. They have big shoulders and large chests. If you would like to learn about the gorillas food and nutrition read on.

Food and NutritionDid you know gorillas are herbivores? Gorillas eat things like fruit, leaves, and a wild variety of plants. I cant believe gorillas get so big by only eating plants. Gorillas also like wild celery, bamboo shoots, herbs, vines, leaves, and flowers. They even eat sharp things like thistles and nettles. Gorillas enjoy sweet things like berries, sugar cane, and honey. Gorillas dont drink water instead they suck the juice from plants and fruit they eat. They sometimes eat insects, but rarely ever. Gorillas spend most of the day eating, and eating is their favorite activity. Did you know a giant silverback can eat up to 50 pounds of greens in one day? They also eat tree bark and seeds occasionally. I hope you enjoyed learning about what gorillas eat!

Life Cycle Here is the gorillas life cycle from the day its born to the day it dies. The mother gorilla usually has one baby at a time. She has a live birth. When gorillas are born they weigh about 4 to 5 pounds. They can walk at 5 to 6 months. The young gorilla learns by watching older gorillas, and playing with other young gorillas. The gorilla stays close to his or her mother until about 4 years old. They become an adult at 7 or 8 years old. Then they are ready to leave their mother. A newborn baby has pinkish grayish skin. When they are born they are half the size of a human baby. They live until about 30 45 years old. Well, thats the gorillas life cycle from the days its born to the day it dies.

HabitatGorillas live in western Africa, near the equator, and they also live in areas of central Africa. All gorillas live in dense jungles. The western gorilla inhabits primary, secondary, and swamp forests. The cross River gorilla is the most restricted of gorillas, being found in only few isolated populations on the Nigerian-Cameroon borders. The Western Gorilla is also found in areas of Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Gaboon, Equatorial Guinea, and Cabinda Enclave of Angola. Those are just a couple of places the gorilla lives, but Im sure they live in other places .

Enemies and Survival FunctionsHere is the gorillas enemies and survival functions. Africans are the gorillas worst predator, because they destroy forests for farming. Also hunters kill gorillas for their meat or to sell body parts. Another thing thats killing gorillas is traps meant for other animals, and diseases that humans catch. One disease called Ebola kills humans, chimpanzees, and gorillas. At least several thousand gorillas have been killed by Ebola in recent years. The gorillas natural predator when young is the Jaguar. The reason is because jaguars are pretty fast and they have sharp teeth, but they dont dare try to eat a full grown gorilla. Well now you know most of the gorillas predators.

Interesting FactsIn Rwanda they honor the gorilla by putting its picture on their money.There is only four types of gorillas. I had always thought there would be a lot more.The gorilla is one of the most endangered species on earth.Their arms are longer than their legs thats why they walk on their knuckles. Gorillas are shy, non-aggressive animals. They only attack when provoked.Only around 7,000 gorillas are left in the wild.

Closing ParagraphI enjoyed learning about the gorilla and I hope you did to. I enjoyed learning how tall they get and how much they weigh and a lot more stuff in body characteristics. I also liked learning how many babies they have at a time and the average age in life cycle. Plus what they eat in food and nutrition. Also, where they live in habitat. And what their enemies are in enemies and survival functions. I also liked learning all the interesting facts about the gorilla. I hope you enjoyed learning about the gorilla as much as I did. Bibliography PageBooksTitle: GorillasAuthor: Mue Woods

Title: GorillasAuthor: Kathryn Stevens

Title: GorillasAuthor: Judith Jango- Kohen

InternetWebsite: WWW.Arkive .com

OtherTitle: Zoo Books

Title: Pamphlet

The End