Westlicher Gorilla vs large flying fox

Gorilla gorilla compared with Pteropus vampyrus

Key Differences

• Westlicher Gorilla is Critically Endangered while large flying fox is Near Threatened.
• Westlicher Gorilla is 145.5x heavier than large flying fox.
• Westlicher Gorilla lives longer (40 years vs 15 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Westlicher Gorilla	large flying fox
Kingdom same	Animalia (Tier)	Animalia (Tier)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordatiere)	Chordata (Chordatiere)
Class same	Mammalia (Säugetiere)	Mammalia (Säugetiere)
Order	Primates (Primaten)	Chiroptera (Fledertiere)
Family	Hominidae (Great Apes)	Pteropodidae (Fruit Bats)
Genus	Gorilla (Gorillas)	Pteropus (Flying Foxes)
Species	Gorilla gorilla	Pteropus vampyrus

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Westlicher Gorilla

CR — Critically Endangered

Population: ~100.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

large flying fox

NT — Near Threatened

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Westlicher Gorilla	large flying fox
Diet	Herbivore	Herbivore
Average Lifespan	40 years	15 years
Average Length	1.7 m	30 cm
Average Weight	160.0 kg	1.1 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.

large flying fox

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, among 6 distinct biome types spanning the Australasia and Indomalayan realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

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.

large flying fox

The world's largest bat species, large flying foxes have wingspans reaching 1.5 meters and inhabit tropical forests from Southeast Asia to the Philippines and Indonesia. Despite the alarming name, they feed exclusively on fruit and nectar, making them vital pollinators and seed dispersers for tropical forest trees. Roost in massive colonies of thousands. Listed as Vulnerable due to hunting for bushmeat and habitat destruction.