Gorillas Vs Chimpanzees : The main Difference & Similarities
Gorillas Vs Chimpanzees , the distinction between gorillas and chimpanzees: Tourists frequently visit East Africa, particularly Uganda and Rwanda, to observe the two most endangered primate species inhabiting the natural environments of these nations. The primates in question are mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. As travelers trek through distinct environments to observe these unique animals, they often notice various similarities between the two ape species, leading to occasional confusion between gorillas and chimpanzees. This page elucidates the distinctions between gorillas and chimpanzees to assist you in distinguishing these two ape species during your visit. These two primate species share approximately 90% of their DNA with humans, enabling them to perform certain tasks akin to those of humans and facilitating their ability to relate to us. Consequently, these species exhibit more similarities than differences; however, they do possess distinct differences, which include:
Main Difference between Gorillas Vs Chimpanzees
Physical Appearance
Gorillas Vs Chimpanzees , Mountain gorillas are often two to three times larger than chimpanzees. Mountain gorillas possess more prominent arms, musculature, and chests in contrast to chimpanzees, whose arms, musculature, and chests are less obvious. The faces of gorillas are black, but those of chimps are pink. Gorillas possess diminutive ears situated at the posterior of their heads, but chimpanzees exhibit prominent ears that protrude outward.
Cognitive abilities
Despite their lower stature, chimpanzees possess larger brains than mountain gorillas, hence rendering them more intelligent than gorillas. This renders chimpanzees more cunning and elusive than mountain gorillas.
The strength
Mountain gorillas are exceptionally powerful creatures; a single mountain gorilla can independently bear substantial weights, and when engaged in combat with humans or adversaries, it can overpower the victim, inflicting severe damage or even fatality. Chimpanzees are not particularly strong; they typically rely on their intellect to navigate formidable challenges or confront adversaries. This indicates that gorillas are tranquil creatures that infrequently instigate conflict or engage in combat, in contrast to chimpanzees, which are contentious and aggressive species capable of readily provoking disputes and uniting against adversaries to fight to the death.
The social
Gorillas Vs Chimpanzees , Both primates are gregarious animals; however, chimpanzees exhibit significantly greater sociality, residing in communities exceeding 100 members, whilst gorillas inhabit smaller groups of no more than 40 individuals.
Habitats
Gorillas Vs Chimpanzees ,Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees inhabit forested regions; however, mountain gorillas reside at greater altitudes than chimpanzees, which dwell at comparatively lower elevations inside the forests. This indicates that during any gorilla trekking expedition, the journey to locate mountain gorillas will require more time, whilst the trek to find chimpanzees will necessitate less time.
Mountain gorillas predominantly inhabit the ground, in contrast to chimpanzees, which typically reside in trees, although they also traverse the ground.
Leadership within social spheres
Mountain gorilla communities consist of a single silverback, the dominant male, who leads females and their offspring, with no other males present, except for male offspring that are expelled upon reaching maturity. The chimpanzees on the opposite side typically inhabit groups comprising multiple males capable of assuming leadership when necessary.
Motion
Both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are capable of bipedal locomotion; nevertheless, they predominantly traverse on all fours. Chimpanzees and speedy animals are more agile than the large mountain gorillas; although mountain gorillas can sprint, they lack the speed and quickness of chimpanzees.
Children
Both primates, including humans, typically produce a single offspring at a time, with mountain gorillas gestating for 8.5 months and chimpanzees for 8 months. The female chimpanzee will give birth to one offspring every five years, while the female mountain gorilla will produce one offspring every two years.
Food sustenance
Chimpanzees and mountain gorillas are both recognized as herbivores, mostly consuming plants and fruits; however, chimpanzees occasionally consume smaller animals, rendering them omnivorous, in contrast to gorillas, which are strictly herbivorous.
Information Regarding Mountain Gorillas
Gorillas Vs Chimpanzees , Mountain gorillas are estimated to number 1,065 individuals remaining in the wild, residing in four national parks: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mountain gorillas are sociable creatures that inhabit groups referred to as troops, which are commanded by a dominant alpha male known as a silverback. This silverback excels in offering activities such as protection, foraging, nesting, and guiding them to seasonal food grounds. A mountain gorilla family comprises a male, additional males, females, and juveniles, like a human family structure.
Four Days Congo Gorillas and Nyiragongo Hike Gorillas experience a gestation period of 85 months and often deliver offspring weighing approximately four pounds. Mountain gorillas inhabit three countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Currently, there are 1,065 mountain gorillas, around 200,000 western lowland gorillas, and less than 7,000 lowland gorillas. Their population is declining because to habitat threats. Mountain gorillas are terrestrial animals that prefer to spend considerable time on the ground rather than climbing trees due to their substantial weight.
They consume a diet comprising primarily leaves, flowers, tree bark, roots, ants, and stems, with a silverback capable of ingesting approximately 18 kg of vegetation day to sustain its substantial physique.
Information Regarding Chimpanzees
Gorillas Vs Chimpanzees , Chimpanzees are recognized as the most intelligent species. They inhabit congregations consisting of from 10 to 40 individuals. Chimpanzees mostly consume fruits, along with leaves, flowers, seeds, bird eggs, and insects, among other items. They are among the rare primates that utilize tools; chimpanzees employ rocks to break nuts, sticks to excavate termites, and straws to ingest water. Their gestation period is 7 to 8 months, in contrast to the 9 months typical for human females.
Chimpanzees can live for more than 50 years. Chimpanzees sleep for an average of 9 to 10 hours throughout a 24-hour period, which constitutes a significant duration for their health.
Where to see gorillas in Africa
Mountain gorillas in Africa are predominantly located in three countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda is home to two populations of mountain gorillas: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, both situated in the southwestern region. Rwanda hosts these gorillas in Volcanoes National Park in the northwestern area, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to Virunga National Park in the Albertine Rift Valley. Eastern lowland gorillas inhabit Kahuzi Biega National Park in Congo, and Western lowland gorillas are distributed across several countries, including Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon.
Uganda is the premier destination for observing mountain gorillas, as it is home to approximately half of the global population of these gentle giants. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park alone contains over 650 habituated mountain gorillas, contributing to a total of around 1,065 individuals worldwide. The remaining population is located in Volcanoes, Virunga, and Mgahinga National Parks. Consequently, Uganda is the premier safari destination for mountain gorilla trekking experiences in their natural habitat.
Travelers cannot approach the mountain gorilla sites in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo without obtaining gorilla permits, which grant permission to enter their natural habitats.
Where to see chimpanzees in East Africa
Chimpanzees are predominantly located in western Tanzania, including in Gombe National Park, and in Uganda. Uganda is renowned for resembling a monkey kingdom, with an estimated total population of over 5,000 individuals. The global population of remaining chimpanzees is estimated to be between 170,000 and 300,000 individuals, currently inhabiting the wild throughout 21 African nations. Furthermore, Uganda is a fortunate nation compared to other Eastern countries, as it is home to numerous chimpanzee populations, including those in Kibale Forest National Park, Budongo Forest within Murchison Falls National Park, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu Forest adjacent to Queen, and Semliki National Park. Most intrepid enthusiasts visiting Uganda primarily concentrate their primate excursions in Kibale Forest National Park, which hosts a substantial population of habituated chimpanzees, exceeding 1,500 individuals, thereby establishing it as the premier destination for chimpanzee tracking in the country, in contrast to other locations.
Nonetheless, a traveler seeking to see chimpanzee habitats or engage in chimpanzee tracking must possess a valid permit; Kibale National Park licenses are priced at USD200 for foreign non-residents, USD150 for international residents, and UGX150,000 for East African citizens. The cost for chimpanzee habituation experience is USD250 for foreign nonresidents, USD200 for foreign residents, and UGX200,000 for East African natives per person per day.
Kyambura Gorge – Queen Elizabeth National Park charges USD 50 for foreign non-residents, USD 40 for foreign residents, and UGX 30,000 for East African citizens, with fees applicable per person per day.
Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest is priced at USD85 per individual per day for both foreign non-residents and foreign residents.
Gorillas and chimpanzees can be tracked in their respective habitats after undergoing habituation, a process in which they are trained to become less shy of humans, allowing for tourism without disrupting their natural behaviors.