Amazing gorilla facts

1 East vs west
There are two species of gorilla - eastern and western. Each of
these is divided into two subspecies - eastern lowland and mountain
(eastern) and western lowland and cross river (western). The two
species live in central Africa, separated by a vast swathe of
rainforest.
2 Number crunching
The western lowland gorilla is the most numerous of the four
subspecies, with population estimates often cited at 100,000-
200,000. However, due to its dense, remote habitat, no one knows
for sure how many exist. The least numerous is the cross river
gorilla, which is confined to scattered areas of forest in Nigeria and
Cameroon, and is thought to number no more than 300 individuals.
3 Size matters
Gorillas are the world’s largest primates. They are closely related to
humans, with 98% of their DNA identical to that of Homo sapiens.
4 Seeds of survival
As roaming herbivores, gorillas play a vital role in seed dispersal.
Many large fruit trees depend upon these animals to survive.
5 Able apes
Gorillas are highly intelligent. They use tools and have various
methods of communication, including some 25 different sounds.
One famous captive-born individual, Koko, has been taught sign
language since she was a year old. By the age of 40, she had a
library of about 1,000 signs and could understand some 2,000
words of English.
6 Food factors
Gorillas are mainly herbivores. They spend most of their day
foraging for bamboo, fruit and leafy plants, though western lowlands
also eat small insects. Adult gorillas can eat up to 30kg of food each
day.
7 Nesting instincts
Gorillas build nests in which to sleep, both on the ground and in
trees, made of leaves and branches. Counting abandoned nests is
an effective way for scientists to estimate population size.
8 Nose knows
Gorillas have unique noseprints, much like human fingerprints,
which can be used to identify individuals.
9 Precious progeny
Females usually produce just one baby every four to six years. In
total, a female will only give birth three or four times. Such a low
reproduction rate makes it difficult for populations to bounce back
following a decline.
10 Chatter matters
A study in 2012 on captive populations revealed that female
western lowland gorillas use a type of ‘baby talk’ to communicate
with their babies. Scientists observed that mothers used more tactile
and more repetitive gestures with their young than with other adults.

Source:

http://www.discoverwildlife.com/animals/mammals/10-amazing-gorilla-facts