Difference between Eastern lowland and Mountain Gorillas /What is the difference between eastern and mountain gorillas; Both mountain gorillas and lowland gorillas are known as the largest world living primates. Despite that gorillas survive in two different species of eastern and western gorilla with each having two other subspecies. Of which, Eastern lowland and unique mountain gorilla’s subspecies of the eastern gorilla, western lowland gorilla and Cross River gorilla are subspecies of the western gorilla.
Mountain gorillas are darkly colored with much thicker longer fur while the lowland gorillas have lighter and short hair.
Mountain gorillas is longer and shaggier compared to the lowland gorillas which is much shorter and softer.
The mountain gorillas are scientifically known as Gorilla berengei berengei while the lowland gorillas are known as Gorilla gorilla. These alone suggests a different in the gorilla subspecies.
Mountain gorillas live in high altitude of about 1,500 to 4000 meter which is freezing temperatures whereas the lowland gorillas live in lower altitude tropical forest.
In general mountain gorillas are found only in three countries in entire world namely; Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
In East Africa, mountain gorillas can be conducted in only four ‘’4’’ national parks that is Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes national park in Rwanda as well as Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo and the lowland gorillas are found in Kahuzi Biega National Park.
The mountain gorillas live in thick forested lands while lowland gorillas live in forested lowland habitats.
The lowland gorillas can be found in countries like Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Central African Republic and Cameroon. Whereas the endangered mountain gorillas are only found in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. This is the reason why a gorilla safari Uganda or Rwanda gorilla tours with a Congo gorilla trekking safari make the comparison possible.
Predominantly, mountain gorillas live in the wild within the dormant volcanic mountains whereas most of the lowland gorillas can be seen in the zoos around the world. A traveler will have to trek the mountain gorillas in the wild whereas the western gorillas can be found in their habitat.
Structural difference in Mountain and Lowland Gorillas
Like mountain gorillas have shorter arms, larger teeth, nose and jaw while the lowland gorillas have shorter head and body hair.
The only difference can be witnessed when one opts for a Uganda Gorilla Safari or Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari and Congo Gorilla Safari for close comparison.
Adult ‘’elderly ‘’ mountain gorillas maintain their silver fur whereas the adult male lowland gorillas often lose the gray hair on their back and hips.
Difference in Gorilla Size
Eastern lowland gorillas can weight 180 kilograms, these are the largest subspecies of gorillas and the largest living primates. The mountain gorillas can weight 150kilogrames and the western lowland gorillas are smallest but still have an exceptional size.
The eastern lowland male can stand height of about 1.7 meters ‘’5.6ft’’ and mountain gorillas stand at 1.2 – 1. 8 meters ‘’4-6 Ft.’’ tall. Then the half the weight of the males about 90 kilograms.
Difference in Gorilla feeding
Gorilla are herbivores. Mountain gorilla diet is strictly based on plant materials like shoots, leaves, stems, flowers and bark from the trees.
The lowland gorillas feed on barks and leaves for food.
Gorilla Social Life
All gorillas are social in nature and live in groups known as families. Mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas live in big groups of up 30 to 40 members.
Western lowland gorillas live in smaller families of 4 to 8 member. Even with small groups, they still don’t live in single lives.
Visit one of Gorilla destination and come to meet up the largest unique living primates in order to witness their calm social life style through planning a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, Rwanda or Democratic Republic of Congo.
