Primate Classification of Gorillas
Primate Classification of Gorillas: Primates, including gorillas, are intelligent animal species characterized by forward-facing eyes and grasping hands and feet. They differ from other primates, such as chimpanzees and monkeys, due to their larger size, lack of tails, and more developed brains, making them closer relatives to humans. Gorillas, primarily herbivores, inhabit tropical forests in equatorial Africa. The genus Gorilla comprises two species, eastern and western, along with several subspecies. Sharing 98% of their DNA with humans, gorillas are our closest living relatives after chimpanzees. Understanding the distinctions between primates, such as chimpanzees and gorillas, enhances our knowledge of their interactions with humans, not only for researchers but also for primate enthusiasts during wildlife safaris.
Following the primate classification, gorillas belong to the Hominidae family within the Haplorhini suborder, which includes humans, apes, and monkeys. There are two subspecies of gorillas: Western and Eastern. In contrast, the Strepsirrhini group, which includes lemurs, lorises, and galagos, displays more primitive traits. Members of the Haplorhini group have advanced cognitive abilities and adaptations suited for complex social interactions.
Gorillas are the largest living primates.
Gorillas, the largest primates on Earth, are found in Africa’s dense jungles and are known for their extraordinary strength and sensitive eyes. They are classified as apes rather than monkeys because they exhibit forward-facing eyes, grasping hands, and high intelligence. The dominant male, known as the silverback, leads their group. However, the eastern gorillas have darker fur than western gorillas, and in the wild, these gorillas typically live for 35–40 years. Therefore, to know more about the primate classification of gorillas, this article aims to provide fascinating insights into these gentle giants and their natural habitats.
Gorillas and their habitats
Gorillas, a rare species in sub-Saharan Africa, inhabit various tropical and subtropical forests at different elevations. They reside in montane woods in the Virunga conservation area and are categorized into western lowland gorillas in Central West Africa and eastern lowland gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Their habitats include deep forests and swamps, with some populations living as low as sea level. However, human activities such as agriculture and deforestation are threatening their habitats, contributing to the endangered status of many gorilla populations.
What are primates?
Primates, which include humans, apes, tarsiers, lemurs, and monkeys, are defined by their large brains, grasping hands, and forward-facing eyes. They belong to the mammal class, characterized by fur, live births, and parental care. Primates possess opposable thumbs and flexible fingers for grabbing, along with advanced vision for depth perception. Their larger brains contribute to higher intelligence and complex social structures compared to other animals.
Other primates
Monkeys are primates characterized by long tails, active behavior, and gripping capabilities. They have forward-facing eyes and larger brains. Great apes, including chimpanzees and orangutans, exhibit complex social behaviors and are genetically close to humans. The primate classification of gorillas encompasses humans as well. In West Africa, there are two gorilla subspecies: the Western lowland gorilla, which is more common, and the endangered Cross River gorilla. Western lowland gorillas primarily eat fruit and leaves.
Characteristics of primates that define gorillas as primates
The big brains of gorillas
Extremely intellectual primates, particularly apes, have large brains relative to their body sizes, distinguishing them from chimpanzees. Their intelligence allows them to tackle societal challenges by using binocular vision and tools to gather food and water, as well as utilizing vocalizations and their long arms for communication.
Social Structures
Similar to other primates, these endangered mountain gorillas form close-knit family groups led by the alpha male silverback. This social organisation is shared by primate species, and social structure and bonding are essential for survival and reproduction.
Highly developed Vision
The endangered mountain gorillas share about 98% of their DNA with humans, and their forward-facing eyes allow them to see quite well. This increases their range of vision, which aids in their ability to see distant objects in their surroundings, especially while they are climbing trees or making their way through thickets in pursuit of food, among other circumstances.
Nature of their Thumbs
When it comes to climbing and grasping trees and branches, feeding, communicating, caring for, and carrying their young, and many other situations, gorillas’ remarkable thumbs with clenched fists are one of the primary traits that set them apart from other mammals.
Flexibility
Their athletic bodies allow them to walk on their knuckles, climb trees, and use their strong and agile arms for fighting, clapping, beating their chests, breaking tree branches, and constructing their nests, which are always made of leaves. Gorillas are renowned for their high levels of flexibility.
Communication
Gorillas have a unique, distinct, and highly developed way of communicating through a variety of vocalisations, facial expressions, finger movements, and many other means. In their everyday lives, all of this helps them communicate, especially when they are dealing with issues like danger scenarios, internal and external threats, and other circumstances.
Use of tools
Owing to their high levels of intellect, gorillas are frequently seen employing sticks and other instruments to perform certain tasks. Primates, especially apes like chimpanzees and gorillas, have this tendency because they always use sticks to dig holes by scraping out soil in search of water. They also use sticks to assess the depth of water levels, especially when there is a shortage of water.
Why are gorillas not monkeys?
A popular debate among many nature and primate enthusiasts has been moving on as to why gorillas are classified as primates but not as monkeys. This is a clear distinction in the larger taxonomy of primates that separates monkeys from gorillas (apes). Their genetic makeups are slightly different, even though they both share morphological characteristics with primates and other mammals, as will be discussed later.
Social Structure
Compared to monkeys, gorillas have more intricate and stable social structures, with a dominant leader (the silverback) who maintains community cohesion and offers protection. Gorillas live in family groups that are more like human social systems than many other primates, which live in loosely organized social groups.
Big brains and advanced intelligence
Gorillas, like other apes such as chimpanzees and orangutans, are smarter than monkeys because of their larger brains and more balanced body forms, which enable them to carry out particular tasks, including problem-solving and daily social tasks, as effectively as possible.
Gorillas have no tails
Although most monkeys have tails, apes, especially gorillas, do not. This is one of the most obvious morphological differences between apes and monkeys. This striking anatomical contrast helps you make the distinction between these two creatures.
Strength
Compared to monkeys, the endangered gorillas are stronger and have bigger chests. Silverbacks, or alpha males, can weigh 180 kg or more when they reach adulthood. The bulk of monkey species are lower than this. They have more physical strength than monkeys, which enables them to lift large things and carry out tasks that call for strength and achievement.
Threats to Gorillas
Following the primate classification of gorillas, there are an estimated 5,000 eastern and 316,000 western gorillas in the wild, respectively. The IUCN has classified both species as critically endangered, and all subspecies are listed as such, except the mountain gorilla, which is listed as endangered. The species’ continuing survival is threatened by a number of issues, such as illnesses, habitat degradation, and poaching. However, conservation efforts have been successful in some locations.
Conclusively, gorillas are classified as primates due to their mammalian traits and characteristics typical of primates, such as large brains and forward-facing eyes. They differ significantly from other primates, like monkeys, in behavior and intelligence. Importantly, gorillas share 98% of their DNA with humans, indicating a closer genetic relationship with great apes than with other primates.
