Life Span
The eastern lowland gorilla lives for 35-50 years. Gorilla males are ready to mate when they are about 13 years of each. The lowland gorillas are divided into two species: the eastern and the western.
Reproduction and Young
Adult female gorillas give birth to one baby about every 4 years. A surviving lowland gorilla is only born every 6 to 8 years due to high baby mortality in the first 3 years of life. A baby gorilla is born weighing 1.8 or 2 kilograms (4 – 4.4 pounds). Baby gorillas are carried around by their mothers and they are ready to walk after 30 – 40 weeks. The baby's are breast fed for 12 months. The baby's stay with there moms for 3 to 4 years.
Diet
About 67% of the eastern lowland gorilla's diet is fruit, 17% is leaves, seeds and stems and 3% is termites and caterpillars. Eastern lowland gorillas eat a variety of vegetation. They are considered herbivores, mainly eating vegetation such as stems, bamboo, shoots and fruits.
Anatomy and Appearance
Lowland gorillas are 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 meters) tall and weigh 150 to 400 lbs. (68 to 181 kilograms). Mountain gorillas are about the same height, although they tend to weigh a bit more. The mountain gorillas are 4 to 6 feet tall and weigh 300 to 485 lbs. (135 to 220 kg).
Eastern gorillas usually have black and dark brown fur, with long teeth.
Behavior
Eastern lowland gorillas move around in family groups that can range from a few to over 40. There is a dominant male who stays in charge of the family for years. They are a well structured social group.