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The Great Apes
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Nelis Wolmarans: " Home... An awesome day spent with the Hirwa Mountain Gorilla family in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Looking forward to returning soonest. "
Why is it that the mountain gorillas teeth ranges in different colors for instance this
To this [attachment=3911 (09-22-2019, 01:54 PM)The Panther Wrote: Big old Guhonda and a couple of his group members.'At 225Kg, Guhonda is the largest silverback mountain gorilla in the world. He is the alpha male of the Sabinyo group and is often seen in the company of one of the group’s several adult females. Wow this huge mountain gorilla is nearly 500Ibs which is 227kg, thats pretty impressive for a wild mountain gorilla since they can only reach up to 500Ibs in the wild, while their eastern lowland cousins can way up to 550Ibs(250kgs) in the wild, I mean look at chimanuka, thats a wild specimen weighing in at least 250kgs. (05-16-2020, 05:52 PM)Borya Wrote: George Schaller, one of the leading experts gorillas says that a large bull gorilla has the "Strength of several men". A gorilla can rip a branch the size of a person's arm Since this matter, kind of gorilla vs leopard comes up time to time, I quote here my posting from leopard predation thread. Here are 5-6 cases of adult male gorillas killed by leopards, 1 blackback and 4-5 silverbacks. Sometimes I use a bit of time trying to find reliable cases. So far all cases, which seem to be more than hearsay and observed more or less by experts have ended up in death of a gorilla. In one case both died. What comes to that case mentioned to be told by Schaller, it would be really interesting to know to what it´s based on. I mean claim, that Schaller would have said, that some gorilla would have killed a leopard and survived himself. In several places is told about one case in which Schaller went to see a place, where was found a silverback gorilla and a leopard, both dead after obvious fight between them. I haven´t seen him telling anywhere about some other case. Only this one, in which both died. Gorillas are formidable, but as multiple sources show, they aren´t invincible and leopard is their natural predator. While gorillas are bigger and for sure stronger, it can´t be forgotten, that leopards are evolved to be "natural born killers". What they lose in size, they can compensate with many other things as all predators. We can all think a moment, how much we would "enjoy" when handling an enraged house cat, I have had to do it in some occasions. Then just imagining what it would be if that house cat would be 10 times bigger.... Being stronger doesn´t always mean, that more dangerous in fight  Most people would flee without any doubt if any possibility from such encounter. Apes and gorillas can´t put on some very thick gloves and clothing, good to remember, when trying to think how they might feel in presence of a snarling leopard.For some reason I can´t quote my posting from another thread, but this is copied text of my posting 403 from Leopard predation thread: I found one study about gorillas, in it is also part about leopard predation: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/8b15/89dcb59b230c2b1726424a065ecab6e7ca3d.pdf Name of study: Interunit, environmental and interspecific influences on silverback-group dynamics in western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) Michelle Klailova A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Psychology University of Stirling February 2011 Quote: "Evidence from previous studies suggests that forest leopards may adapt their hunting behaviour to follow individual preferences for particular prey species [Jenny & Zuberbuhler, 2005; Zuberbuhler & Jenny, 2002]. Although the actual level of risk faced by western lowland gorillas as a result of leopard predation is uncertain, evidence is mounting to suggest that they along with other apes are targeted as leopard prey. In the early 1960s, Schaller [1963] confirmed the deaths of 2-3 adult male mountain gorillas due to leopard attack. During a five year period in Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire, Boesch [1991] documented nine separate leopard attacks on chimpanzees. Leopard predation was also strongly suspected in the death of a silverback at Mbeli Bai, Republic of Congo, and of a blackback at the Lossi study site, Democratic Republic of Congo [Robbins et al., 2004]. Fay et al., [1995] and Watson [1999] witnessed leopard attacks on adult gorillas at both gorilla habituation study sites (Bai Hokou/Mongambe) in the Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas Complex, Central African Republic. Furthermore in 1999the Bai Hokou study group’s main silverback was severely injured in an attack which led to his eventual demise. Although the attacking species could not be verified, attempted leopard predation was suspected due to suspicious claw-like markings on the focal adult male’s back [Cipolletta, 2003; Cipolletta pers. comm.]. Additional records at Bai Hokou show that leopards were detected near gorilla groups on three occasions and that their presence affected group ranging patterns [Goldsmith, 1999; Klailova pers. obsv.]. Finally, although scavenging cannot be ruled out, gorilla and chimpanzee remains in leopard faeces have been recorded at various rainforest sites [Fay et al., 1995; Hart et al., 1996; Henschel et al., 2005, 2008; Ososky, 1998; Tutin & Benirschke, 1991]. The slow life histories of gorillas coupled with a growing inventory of suspected and verified predation incidents, suggest that the leopard could be an important cause of mortality in some ape populations [Robbins et al., 2004]. However, due to the cryptic nature of the forest leopard and challenges of western lowland gorilla habituation, it has not been possible to systematically assess leopard predation risks to gorilla groups." So there is mentioned 5-6 dead adult male gorillas, one blackback and rest silverbacks. 
Hello! I have information on gorilla's size and also chimpanzee and bonobo, but I don't have to much data on orangutan.
I will try to make a comparative image of all the great apes, but it will take time. Greetings.
Yes, the comparative image of the largest gorilla is mine. It is very old, I will try to make an update soon.
Big Munyinya baring his teeth.
 *This image is copyright of its original author
Thomas Vilayan: " The current world has completely mastered the right way to do everything wrong! "
Nelis Wolmarans: " I believe that being human also means that we are able to form a connection, bond and attachments to animals as strong as what we develop for people whom we bond with. Dominant Silverback Munyinya was one such an animal to me and his death came as quite a shock for both my wife and myself. This big guy was born in 1993 and originated from the SUSA family but because of his love for the ladies, he had a number of altercations with the Silverback from this group, Kurira and left the family in 2002. He disappeared for 4 years and was first seen again on the 17th of June 2006 when he showed up with a few females which he stole from other families such as Agashya, Sabyinyo and Kwitonda. His family grew considerably over the years and Munyinya found a soft spot in the hearts of not only many a tourist, but also the park guides and trackers. End of last year, Munyinya took his family across the border into Mugahinga NP in Uganda with devastating consequences. The family lost a number of members in a lightening strike and following this incident, Munyinya developed a respiratory condition which was treated and seen to by the Gorilla Doctors and it seemed he was on the mend. Unfortunately the condition returned and ultimately caused the death of this big guy. Munyinya was a gentle giant in every sense of the word and to me, he was very much all that we wish to see in another human being, gentle, patient, caring and very protective of his family, especially the little ones. Munyinya is the Silverback on the front cover of the book #rememberinggreatapes of the series of Remembering books dedicated to raising much needed funding and support of conservation initiatives for the species featured in each book. He is also the Silverback in my watermark. RIP big guy, your legacy will continue to live on... "
Gorillas are the largest of the primates and are close genetic relatives of chimpanzees and humans.
Gorillas are ground dwellers that are found mostly in the tropical forests of Africa. There are two gorilla species (Gorilla gorilla and Gorilla beringei) and four-five subspecies of gorillas, all of which endangered in the wild. Mountain Gorilla The mountain gorilla can be found around the Virunga volcanoes in high-altitude tropical forests in Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of the Congo. They have longer, thicker fur than the other subspecies, which helps them live in colder temperatures. Western Lowland Gorillas The western lowland gorilla can be found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, Congo and Equatorial Guinea. They often have redder and greyer fur than their eastern relatives. Eastern Lowland Gorillas The eastern lowland gorilla can be found in Democratic Republic of the Congo. They are the largest of the gorillas subspecies. They are similar to mountain gorillas, but have shorter fur, narrower faces and rounder nostrils. Cross River Gorillas The Cross River gorilla is the world's rarest great ape, with fewer than 300 individuals surviving in the wild. They are found in a small area between Nigeria and Cameroon. They have differently shaped skull from western lowland gorillas, but are also redder and greyer and than the eastern subspecies Gorillas are divided into 2 recognised species and 4 sub species. The Western Gorilla comprises of the Western Lowland Gorilla and the Cross River Gorilla. The Eastern Gorilla comprises of the Mountain Gorilla and the Eastern Lowland Gorilla. It is being debated that the Bwindi Gorilla is a proposed third separate species of Gorilla. So apparently it has been said that their might be a totally new sub species of gorillas categorised as the bwindi gorilla.
Thomas Vilayan: " Don’t lose Hope.
You don’t know what tomorrow will bring."
first ever glimpse of a troop of the world’s rarest gorilla:
There are only about 300 Cross River gorillas left in the world, making them the rarest subspecies of gorilla, or indeed any great ape. But in late June, a camera located in Nigeria’s Mbe Mountains captured an encouraging sight: a group of Cross River gorillas, including several infants and juveniles, moseying past the lens. Before this, there were only a few known images of the critically endangered subspecies, which came from camera traps in both Cameroon and Nigeria. These include pictures of an adult gorilla with a missing hand, likely from a snare injury, a lone silverback, as well as a mother gorilla carrying a single baby on her back. Cross River gorillas inhabit the lowland montane forests and rainforests of Cameroon and Nigeria, an area of 3,000 square miles (7,770 sq km), on the African continent. Scientists have identified 11 family groups (or troops) living in eight sites across this rugged, hilly terrain in overlapping home ranges. Now there are about 100 Cross River gorillas living in Nigeria across three contiguous sites: the Okwangwo Division of Cross River National Park (Okwangwo), Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Mbe Mountains community forest. In Mbe itself, there are about 30 to 35 Cross River gorillas As you can see a lonely silverback cross river gorilla Cross River gorillas stand 4.7 to 5.5 feet (1.4 to 1.7m) tall and weigh between 220 and 440 pounds (100 to 200kg). Lifespan in the wild is 35 to 50 years. Some of y'all can see that cross river gorillas differ slightly from their western lowland cousins Appearance: Except for subtle differences in skull size (their heads are smaller relative to body size) and tooth dimensions, Cross River gorillas closely resemble their western lowland gorilla kin. Like western lowland gorillas, Cross River gorillas are slightly smaller than the eastern gorilla subspecies, with a more slender build, shorter and lighter-colored hair, longer arms, and a more prominent ridge line. On the left: cross river gorilla | on the right: western lowland gorilla They have flat, expressive faces that are characteristic of all gorillas, with what appears to be a permanently furrowed brow (evocative of deep contemplation), wide nostrils, and dark eyes that are deeply set. Their faces, hands, and feet are bare of fur. The coats of Cross River gorillas are typically brownish gray to black, and they have auburn-colored chests; a reddish crest adorns their cone-shaped heads (same as western lowland gorillas). Comparatively little study has been conducted on Cross River gorillas. Most of what is known about general gorilla behavior and lifestyle comes from studies of mountain gorillas. But long-term studies currently underway at two Cross River gorilla habitat sites are already providing a peek into the ecology and social life of this rarest of all great apes. It is extremely exciting to see so many young Cross River gorillas — an encouraging indication that these gorillas are now well protected and reproducing successfully, after previous decades of hunting
Wild Eye: " In a new weekly series, Wild Eye brings you some facts about the species they come across on their expeditions and tours across the globe.
This week we focus on the Mountain Gorilla. Humans share around 98% of our DNA with Mountain Gorillas. This means that exposure to human illnesses, such as a cold/ flu can have potentially detrimental impacts on gorillas as they haven't developed the necessary immunities. Mountain Gorillas are endangered, but the only species with an increasing population with only around 1,063 Mountain Gorilla that exist in the wild. Mountain gorillas are found in only 3 countries – Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mountain Gorillas got their name for a reason. They live high in the steep mountain forests at elevations of up to 8,000 to 13,000 feet. Mountain gorillas spend about a quarter of their day eating, mainly leaves and shoots, but have also been known to eat snails, ants and bark. At night, mountain gorillas sleep in groups in nests on the ground, or in trees, that they make from foliage. Infants will share their mother’s nests. These creature have a varied vocabulary with up to 16 different calls. These include short barks when they’re mildly alarmed or curious and to intimidate rivals, male gorillas strut with stiff legs, beat their chests, and use vocalisations like roars or hoots. Most mountain gorillas live in stable family groups of around 10 individuals, with one dominant male (silverback) and several females. Both males and females care for their infants. Gorillas are classed as infants until they reach around three-and-a-half years old, and only become adults from around 8 years. Males between 8-12 years are called 'blackbacks'. Then from 12 years old, they develop a silver section of hair over their back and hips, earning them the name 'silverback'. Female gorillas give birth to one infant after a pregnancy of nearly nine months. Unlike their powerful parents, newborns are tiny and able only to cling to their mothers' fur and will ride on their mothers' backs from four months through the first two or three years of their lives. "
Wild Eye: " Chimpanzees may not catch as much spotlight as the famed mountain gorilla. I must tell you though, that their antics, their tenderness and their intriguing facial expressions and complex family structure are nothing short of fascinating; combine this with sporadic ebullitions of chaos and violence and you have a wildlife experience like no other. "
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