Top 7 Differences Between Mountain Gorillas Vs Lowland Gorillas
Mountain Gorillas Vs Lowland Gorillas; Despite being of the same kind, these two great apes display distinct differences in their size, strength, habitats, diet, and behavior.
When you understand the differences and similarities among these two gorilla subspecies, they become much easier to differentiate when encountered on a wildlife gorilla safari.
Gorillas are the largest of the great apes on the globe that share about 98.3 percent of their DNA with us, humans hence making them our closest cousins.

They are made of two species that’s the eastern gorillas and the western gorillas. These two gorilla species are further divided into subspecies among which include the mountain gorillas and lowland gorillas which are much known compared to other gorilla subspecies which include the cross river gorillas and the eastern lowland gorillas.
Let us delve into the distinct differences between Mountain Gorillas Vs Lowland Gorillas;
Comparisons between Mountain Gorillas Vs Lowland Gorillas;
Difference in the Names of Mountain Gorillas Vs Lowland Gorillas
Mountain gorillas are scientifically called Gorilla beringei beringei while lowland gorillas, specifically the western are called Gorilla gorilla gorilla. The names themselves are a clear description to show that these two gorilla subspecies are different though from the same genus.
Comparing Habitat and Distribution of Mountain Gorillas vs lowland Gorillas;
Mountain gorillas inhabit dense tropical rainforests of central Africa and they are typically found in only four national parks that are distributed among three countries in Africa namely Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo.
They inhabit the Virunga mountain ranges which span over these countries and are typically found in the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park of Uganda, and Virunga National Park of Congo. They are also found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park of Uganda which is not part of the Virunga mountain range.
These mountain gorilla habitats are characterized by high altitudes which range from 2,200 to 4,300 meters above sea level hence they have a cool, moist climate featuring an abundance of vegetation.
In contrast, lowland gorillas are also spread across central African countries which include Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
They inhabit lowland tropical forests and are much confined to the montane forests of the eastern regions of Congo typically because of their more humid and warmer temperatures compared to the habitats of their counterparts.
They prefer inhabiting less dense vegetation areas are sighted on the edges of forests and occasionally in swamps and savannah plains foraging.
Comparing weight, height and size of Mountain Gorillas Vs Lowland Gorillas;
Mountain gorillas are generally bigger apes featured with robust bodies making them the strongest with a Well matured adult mountain gorilla also known as a silverback gorilla weighing between 150 to 220 kilograms and standing straight up to a height of about 1.4 to 1.8 meters (4.6 to 5.9 feet).
On the other hand, lowland gorillas are typically smaller with an adult male gorilla weighing between 140 to 180 kilograms and standing straight up to a height of about 1.2 to 1.5 meters tall.
Difference in body features of Mountain Gorillas Vs Lowland Gorillas
Mountain gorillas are large compared to their counterparts, with strongly built body featured with broad chests, bigger heads, large teeth, big flat nose, much thick fur compared to the lowland gorillas that are relatively smaller and shorter with less fur on their bodies.
Mountain gorillas are featured with thick long fur which clearly describes their adaptation to their cold habitats while lowland gorillas have shorter lighter fur which is a result of the warm temperatures featured in their natural habitats.
A well matured male mountain gorilla grows a distinctive silver hairline on its back while a lowland male gorillas lose their grey hair on the back and hips.
Comparing Diet and Foraging Behaviors of Mountain Gorillas Vs Lowland Gorillas;
Because of the location of their habitats at high altitudes where there are hardly any fruits, the diet of mountain gorillas mainly comprises foliage that’s leaves, shoots, and stems.
They also feed on flowers, seeds, tree barks, roots, and insects such as bee larvae and termites. They are majorly terrestrial animals foraging on vegetation mostly found on forest floors.
On the other hand, lowland gorillas have a more nutritious diet which is comprised of many fruits as they are found in relatively lowland forests which are rich in fruits.
They also forage on leaves, seeds, stems, and insects. Due to their light size, lowland gorillas also climb trees to get fruits or any other food that has attracted their attention.
Comparing Social Structure and Behaviors of Mountain Gorillas Vs Lowland Gorillas;
Both the mountain and lowland gorillas live in families or social groups led by a dominant silverback. However, the sizes of these families differ with the mountain gorilla family being larger, consisting of about 10 to 30 individual gorillas inclusive of infants and most times one silverback, the head, which is responsible for the protection and making final decisions for that specific family.
On the other hand, lowland families are generally smaller consisting of about 5 to 10 individuals inclusive of usually one dominant silverback, several females, and their offspring.
Despite the family sizes of both the mountain and lowland gorillas, their social behaviors are generally similar and are comprised of a well-laid-out hierarchy that is maintained by a dominant silverback and features strong bonds among the family members.
Comparing conservation status and threats of Mountain Gorillas vs lowland Gorillas;
Both the gorilla subspecies face different threats and conservation challenges with the mountain gorillas being the critically endangered Gorillas species left about 1,063 individuals in the world and the lowland gorillas having the largest population with about 100,00 to 200,000 individual gorillas left in the wild.
The severe threats to these great apes include poaching for illegal pet trade, human disease outbreaks such as Ebola claiming much of their lives, habitat destruction to agriculture, logging, and mining.
However, conservation efforts such as the introduction of anti-poaching patrols in gorilla habitats, veterinary care, and habitat protection have led to a gradual increase in their numbers most especially for mountain gorillas.