Difference between gorillas and chimpanzees, gorillas are the largest of the great apes, gorillas are stocky animals with broad chests and shoulders, large, human-like hands, and small eyes set into hairless faces.
Chimpanzees are one of our planet’s ‘great apes’, along with gorillas and orangutans. They have long arms that extend below their knees, short legs and black hair covering almost their entire body. Their faces are flat with big eyes, a small nose and a wide mouth.
While they might seem similar in pictures or at first glance, these two primates are in fact two very different primate species. Therefore, we shall provide some of the ways they vary so that next time you are on a primate safari, you will be able to differentiate these two Great Apes like a pro.
Some of the comparisons while being helpful in distinguishing them from a far while others you might need to come little bit closer to identify.
Some of the differences include the following;
a) Classification
The genus and categorization of gorillas and chimpanzees are two important distinctions. For instance, gorillas and chimpanzees both belong to the gorilla family of mammals, although chimpanzees do not. They both belong to the primate order, which explains why they have certain similarities, but gorillas and chimpanzees each come from a separate, distinct family. Numerous studies indicate that both of these primates share a high degree of genetic similarity with humans.
b) Appearance and size
Mountain gorillas are larger in size than the chimpanzees, normally two times or three times larger. Mountain gorillas have more pronounced arms, muscles and chests compared to the chimpanzees whose arms, muscles and chest are less pronounced. The gorillas’ faces are black and the chimpanzees’ faces are pink.
c) Reproduction
Both primates like humans will have one offspring at a time with the mountain gorillas being pregnant for 8.5 months and chimpanzees being pregnant for 8 months. The female chimpanzee will have one child in 5 years well as the female mountain gorillas will have one child in 2 years.
d)life span
Gorillas are said to live much longer than the chimpanzees. The average life span of a gorilla is 35 years and that of a chimpanzee is 15 years.
e) Social life
chimpanzees are way more social than the gorillas living in communities over 100 individuals, well as gorillas live in smaller groups of not more than 40 individuals.
f) Food
Gorillas eat just vegetation and fruits while chimpanzees eat foliage and fruits, they will also feast on honey, soil, birds and their eggs and small mammals including other primates.
With the various differences, surely wouldn’t one wish to physically view and notice the differences?
Very interesting an activity it will be, just book with Inspire African Safaris the 7 days Gorilla and chimpanzee safari in Uganda.
