Chimpanzees and mountain gorillas are among the most interesting apes in Africa, having some interesting comparisons between them. They are our closest relatives since they share around 98% of our DNA. Seeing them in the wild will offer you opportunities to see some of these characteristics, which include,

Conservation status of chimpanzees Vs mountain gorillas

According to the IUCN red list of threatened species chimpanzees are classified as endangered in the wild. This implies that their populations are rapidly decreasing mostly due to external factors like poaching, habitat loss and diseases. However, the western chimpanzees, not found in East Africa, are critically endangered subspecies. Also, the mountain gorillas are now classified as endangered in the IUCN red list of threatened species. Their populations in the wild have also been threatened with poaching, habitat loss and various contagious diseases etc.

Family/social structures of chimpanzees Vs mountain gorillas

The chimpanzees live in relatively large fission-fusion extended communities (20-120 members). There exist complex political alliances, within each community, in that the adult males form coalitions, and dominance usually shifts. They cooperate while hunting and patrolling/defending their territory. Meanwhile mountain gorillas prefer cohesive stable groups/families with a dominant male largely guiding and protecting a group of at least 3 members. But, both social structures consist of a dominant male, adult females, juveniles and infants.

Also, the younger males in either structure can challenge the dominant male for the leadership position. This can be settled through aggressive fights in order to overthrow the current alpha/dominant male. Both chimpanzees and mountain gorillas forage for food communally. While the dominant mountain gorilla maintains the sole right to mate with all the sexually mature females, chimpanzees are not monogamous. The latter have a promiscuous mating system, where both the males and females will have multiple sexual partners without long-term bonding.

Diet of chimpanzees Vs mountain gorillas

Chimpanzees are omnivorous animals while mountain gorillas enjoy a plant-based diet comprising mostly leaves, roots and shoots etc. The mountain gorillas rarely include animal protein and fruits in their daily diet. They can get protein from the plants since they consume them in high quantities. This is different from the chimpanzees who occasionally supplement their diet with meat by hunting smaller primates and insects etc. All chimpanzees love fruits and will move throughout the forest searching for the ripe ones including mangoes, paw paws and figs.

Physical appearance of chimpanzees Vs mountain gorillas

Actually, regarding physical characteristics mountain gorillas are the largest primates on earth, having massive bodies, broad chests and powerful shoulders. For the chimpanzees, they are relatively smaller, with a comparatively lighter build. Mountain gorillas are covered in mostly black hair and skin, with their faces hairless. In the face, they possess small eyes, large nostrils and a prominent brow ridge. Meanwhile chimps’ bodies are covered in black hair, with their faces flatter and human-like. Sometimes, their chins have noticeable white whiskers.

Adult male gorillas tend to develop distinctive silver patches on their backs, thus called silverbacks. This is entirely absent in chimps. Regarding weight, male gorillas are twice as heavy as females, weighing around 220 kg. On the other hand, chimpanzees weigh around 40-70 kg for males, implying that they are not as bulkier than mountain gorillas. Nevertheless, both ape species have arms longer than their legs and the digits are opposable. However, chimps are more adapted for agile climbing and knuckle-walking with precision grips.

Life expectancy of Chimpanzees Vs mountain gorillas

Both chimpanzees and mountain gorillas can live in the wild for less than 70 years. In Uganda, some chimpanzees have life expectancy of 27-37 years. However, the oldest chimpanzee recorded so far lived up to around 63 years before she died. Meanwhile, mountain gorillas in the wild can survive for 35-40 years. Their life expectancy is quite short due to factors like injuries from fights, diseases and predation while young.

Where to see mountain gorillas and chimpanzees

Actually chimpanzees and mountain gorillas can share some ecosystems. The mountain gorillas are only found in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Uganda they can be seen in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. In Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo they are found in Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park respectively. In East Africa, chimps can be seen in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo etc.

In Rwanda chimpanzees live in Nyungwe National Park, Gishwati-Mukura National Park and Volcanoes National Park etc. In Tanzania, you will find them in Mahale Mountains National Park and Gombe National Park. In Uganda chimpanzees can be found in Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Budongo Forest, Bugoma Forest and Kalinzu Forest etc. You can also find them in Bwindi, Semliki and Mgahinga National Parks. In Democratic Republic of Congo chimps live in Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega National Park etc.