Westlicher Gorilla vs Koala

Gorilla gorilla compared with Phascolarctos cinereus

Key Differences

  • Westlicher Gorilla is Critically Endangered while Koala is Vulnerable.
  • Westlicher Gorilla is 16.0x heavier than Koala.
  • Westlicher Gorilla lives longer (40 years vs 15 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank Westlicher Gorilla Koala
Kingdom same Animalia (Tier) Animalia (Tier)
Phylum same Chordata (Chordatiere) Chordata (Chordatiere)
Class same Mammalia (Säugetiere) Mammalia (Säugetiere)
Order Primates (Primaten) Diprotodontia (Marsupials)
Family Hominidae (Great Apes) Phascolarctidae (Koalas)
Genus Gorilla (Gorillas) Phascolarctos (Koalas)
Species Gorilla gorilla Phascolarctos cinereus

Evolutionary Relationship

Westlicher Gorilla and Koala share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Säugetiere)

Conservation Status

Westlicher Gorilla

CR — Critically Endangered

Population: ~100.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Koala

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~100.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute Westlicher Gorilla Koala
Diet Herbivore Herbivore
Average Lifespan 40 years 15 years
Average Length 1.7 m 75 cm
Average Weight 160.0 kg 10.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Westlicher Gorilla

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 4 distinct biome types within the Afrotropic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Cameroon, Congo (Republic), Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Koala

Habitat

Typically found in grasslands, forests, and vegetated habitats.

Range

Found in Australia. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Westlicher Gorilla

The world's largest primate, western gorillas weigh up to 180 kg and inhabit the tropical and subtropical forests of equatorial Africa. Primarily herbivorous, living in family groups led by a silverback male who protects the troop and mediates social conflicts. Critically Endangered, with populations threatened by deforestation, poaching for bushmeat, and outbreaks of Ebola virus disease.

Koala

Iconic marsupial of eastern and southeastern Australia, koalas weigh up to 15 kg and spend up to 22 hours daily sleeping to conserve energy from their low-calorie eucalyptus leaf diet. Highly specialized to process toxic eucalyptus compounds that would kill most other mammals, they have gut microbiomes uniquely adapted for detoxification. Listed as Endangered in 2022, with populations decimated by chlamydia disease, habitat clearing, and climate change.

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