Gorillas
are the largest primates. A full-grown male can weigh as much as
600 lbs. and stand close to 6 ft. tall. Females are about 5 ft tall
and weigh between 150 and 300 lb. Contrary to the image created
by Hollywood movies like King Kong, gorillas are really very gentle
most of the time. Of course, when threatened they can be very aggressive.
Gorillas live
throughout Africa, in rain, mountain, and bamboo forests. They live
in family groups of from 5 to 30 individuals, the number being generally
under a dozen. The leader of the group is a mature male, called
a 'silverback', named for the silvery hair down his back.
A gorillas diet
consists of fruits, and the leaves, roots, and stems of many plants.
Nearly half of a gorilla's day is spent eating. They live about
35 years in the wild.
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PRIMATE
SPECIES: Gorilla
