OSTEOL. COLL., PEABODY MUSEUM, YALE UNIV.

No. 2381

Sex

815

Locality, West Africa: Gaboon

Date

Collector, Rev. Albert Bushnell

GORILLA

Gorilla gorilla

Largest and most powerful of all the primates, the gorilla formerly lived in large numbers in the forests of western Africa but has now been reduced to a relatively few family groups.

Far from being the fierce, pugnacious creature that most people imagine, the gorilla is shy and retiring in its habits and feeds mainly on fruits, with an occasional bird's egg or young bird. Only when attacked does the animal utilize its enormous strength and powerful teeth in defense of its life or family.

The gorilla can be tamed only when young and seldom survives long in captivity.

Adult female; weight upwards of 400 pounds.

From U