Gorille de l'Ouest vs plains zebra

Gorilla gorilla compared with Equus quagga

Key Differences

• Gorille de l'Ouest is Critically Endangered while plains zebra is Near Threatened.
• plains zebra is 2.2x heavier than Gorille de l'Ouest.
• Gorille de l'Ouest lives longer (40 years vs 25 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Gorille de l'Ouest	plains zebra
Kingdom same	Animalia (animal)	Animalia (animal)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (mammifères)	Mammalia (mammifères)
Order	Primates (Primates)	Perissodactyla (Odd-toed Ungulates)
Family	Hominidae (Great Apes)	Equidae (Horses & Zebras)
Genus	Gorilla (Gorillas)	Equus (Horses & Zebras)
Species	Gorilla gorilla	Equus quagga

Evolutionary Relationship

Gorille de l'Ouest and plains zebra share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (mammifères)

Conservation Status

Gorille de l'Ouest

CR — Critically Endangered

Population: ~100.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

plains zebra

NT — Near Threatened

Population: ~750.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Gorille de l'Ouest	plains zebra
Diet	Herbivore	Herbivore
Average Lifespan	40 years	25 years
Average Length	1.7 m	2.3 m
Average Weight	160.0 kg	350.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Gorille de l'Ouest

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.

plains zebra

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 5 distinct biome types within the Afrotropic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Gorille de l'Ouest

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.

plains zebra

The most numerous wild equid, plains zebras inhabit grasslands and savannas of eastern and southern Africa in herds ranging from small family groups to vast aggregations. Their bold black-and-white stripe patterns are unique to each individual and may serve to confuse predators, deter biting insects, and facilitate individual recognition. Zebras form key prey for lions, hyenas, and crocodiles, underpinning savanna food webs.