In Memory of Harambe the Gorilla Quiz

Answer: False

Due to their portrayal in movies, many people believe gorillas to be ferocious and very aggressive towards humans. Actually, they are rather shy creatures who prefer that humans leave them alone. Gorillas rarely show aggressive behavior, and when they do, it is because they feel threatened.

They are strong powerful creatures, and do have powerful canine teeth, especially the dominant male of the pack, who is responsible for keeping everyone safe. Human deaths by gorilla are almost unheard of, and eating a human is simply myth perpetuated by media.

Answer: Silverback

Gorillas live in family groups led by a dominant male known as a silverback. The silverback leads his harem and their offspring on the search for food and shelter. He provides security and keeps them safe from other gorillas and other threats. The silverback is usually a wonderful playmate for his offspring, and mediates conflicts between family members as well.

Answer: Equatorial Guinea

Western lowland gorillas are endangered, but they remain far more common than their relatives, the mountain gorillas. They live in heavy rain forests, and it is difficult for scientists to accurately estimate how many survive in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Western lowland gorillas tend to be a bit smaller than their mountain cousins. They also have shorter hair and longer arms.

Answer: 1

Gorillas, like humans, have a gestational period of about nine months. Usually, they give birth to a single offspring (twins are very rare) which is dependent on them for at least three years. Babies are carried on their mothers backs for transportation for most of that time.

It is not until they are at least seven years old that they are able to have offspring. At this time, the juveniles leave the family pack. The males go looking to start their own family pack, while the females go looking for another pack with a strong silverback with which to mate.

Answer: Was the first gorilla born in captivity

Born in 1956, Colo was the first gorilla born in captivity. In 2016, she was the oldest gorilla living in a zoo. With her life long partner Bongo, she is a mother of three, grandmother of 16 and great-grandmother of seven, providing testament to the zoo's success at building an enclosure for the gorillas that leave them comfortable enough to procreate, repeatedly.

Answer: Ebola

While you are more likely to hear about diseases that humans have caught from other animals, humans infect other animals in the same way. Great apes are especially vulnerable to human viruses. Sometimes these are diseases that were given to humans, which then mutated while in the human, and was subsequently given back to the ape.

The Republic of Congo's Odzala National Park, in 2004, lost almost all their gorillas after an outbreak of Ebola. Humans have been known to give gorillas polio. Gorillas have also been known to have HIV, Anthrax, and SARS, although the exact method of transmission was still being studied at the beginning of the 21st century.

Answer: Nose prints

Fingerprints seem to be found on animals, including man, which require dexterous hands. Animals with fingerprints are able to hold on to objects that are wet, oily, or just plain slick much better than animals without fingerprints. It is believed that just like humans all animals with fingerprints have prints that are unique.

Another interesting note is that all gorillas have unique nose prints which are used for identification as opposed to fingerprints. The reason for nose prints is still a matter of scholarly debate.

Answer: Omnivore

Gorillas are adaptable eaters, that are known to eat grubs, leaves, stems, small animals, termites, and most insects. The largest part of their diet consists of fruit and they have been known to travel long distances to obtain it. The gorilla is a true omnivore that will eat whatever is available.

Answer: To get salt

It was not until the 21st century that scientist figured out why gorillas are often observed eating pieces of decaying wood as well as licking tree stumps. They finally discovered that it was for the sodium. Gorillas have been observed sucking on wood chips for many minutes and than spitting them out onto the ground. Gorilla groups will sometimes return daily to the same rotten log or tree stump and take turns licking and chewing.

Answer: No, their arms are much longer than their legs.

Gorillas and humans are proportioned quite differently. The arms of a gorilla are quite a bit longer than their legs, which is the opposite of the human. Gorillas prefer to walk on all fours, which is known as knuckle walking. When they feel threatened they can run. The upright position is also used to make the animal appear larger and more imposing.