This behaviour, called infanticide, is interpreted as a means to shorten the time until the baby's mother becomes fertile again and the new male can sire his own offspring with her. Usually this is the case after a female transferred to another male together with her baby or if a new leading male takes over. On the other hand, silverbacks have been observed to deliberately kill babies - especially in mountain gorillas. Because of their age, the silverback gorilla’s strength is generally stronger than the younger and much older apes in an area. Obviously, they are named this because of the silver coloration on their back. The gorilla beringei beringei subspecies is currently listed as endangered. ![]() Silverback gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei), also called mountain gorillas, are subspecies of the Eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei). Dian Fossey recorded a case where everything hinted to the snare having been removed by the group's leader. When male gorillas reach a certain level of maturity, generally 12 years of age, they start moving into a new category called the silverbacks. The silverback gorilla is easily recognizable by the silver-colored hair on his back. He even allows them to sleep in his nest.Ī silverback considers those babies who are born during his group leadership as his offspring usually this is true because he tries to prevent matings between younger males and estrous females (if a group contains several silverbacks, it is more complicated, however).Īnother opportunity for a father to help his offspring is the removal of wire snares which entrap them. In such a case the silverback male is usually the only one who looks after them intensively. He protects the infants and his care increases their chances of survival if their mother dies or if she leaves the group. ![]() For them a close relationship with their father can be vital. They frequently stay close to him, they lean on him and include him in their games. Young animals always search out the group leader who usually is their father as well. Nearly 400 species of plants are displayed in the exhibit, ranging from 50 ft tall trees to orchids.How does a gorilla father treat his children? ![]() The exhibit trail you walk down is approximately ⅓ of a mile long.Ĭurrently, Congo Gorilla Forest is home to 20 western lowland gorillas. Chimpanzee males need a longer penis due to the voluminous anogenital swelling of the oestrous females. The erect gorilla penis is only 3-6 cm long, whereas that of a chimpanzee measures 8-18 cm in length. No matter how many times you’ve watched the gorillas, guenons, or mandrills, there’s always something new to discover.Ĭongo Gorilla Forest spans 6.5 acres. The testicles of a gorilla weigh 30-35 g, whereas those of a chimpanzee weigh about 120 g this compares to about 40 g in the human male. ![]() When you walk into Congo Gorilla Forest you’re immediately immersed into the African rainforest. Whether watching the animals on exhibit, or participating in an education class in the unique program space, we have inspired countless visitors over the past 20 years. Congo Gorilla Forest was built as a groundbreaking, participatory exhibit, connecting field work to the work happening at the Bronx Zoo. WCS scientists started studying mountain gorillas in the field in 1959 and bringing that work to zoo visitors was, and remains, an important part of our mission.
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