I have done several drawings of primates and i have to say to say that every time i draw them they are the only animals that i can feel emotion. Emotions and feelings that us humans show in our eyes. Its unbelievable how expressive these animals are and how close they are to us. The only thing missing from them is to be able to talk. They are such incredible animals, especially gorillas, but unfortunately they are hunted and killed for the black market. Its just sad that there are people who cannot see the beauty in these animals and don't think of the consequences of their actions. Once we lose them we will not be able to give future generations the opportunity to see one of the most incredible animals on this planet.
In this drawing i wanted the viewer to feel a connection with the gorilla. You're only able to see the eye, but i wanted it to communicate with the viewer, get them to appreciate the life and importance that these animals bring to this world.
Here are a couple of facts about gorillas that you may or may not know. Gorillas are the largest of all the primates, which include monkeys, apes and humans. A mature male gorilla can grow up to 6 feet and weight from 300 to 500 lbs. Their strength is just incredible which can be as strong as 4-8 strong men put together. Female gorillas are about half the size of male gorillas.
Gorillas are very similar to us humans, they have 2 arms, 2 legs, 2 eyes, 2 small ears, 10 fingers, 10 toes,forward looking eyes and 32 teeth. They are different from us in that their arms are much longer than ours. Their arms are much more muscular than their legs. Their bodies are covered in dark thick hair except on their faces, palms, chest, underarms and soles of their feet. At the age of 15, males become full grown adults and that is when they become 'silverbacks' and its hair on its back becomes silver-gray.
Gorillas can live up to 50 years. Newborn babies are small in size weighing at only 4.5 pounds. They stay with their mothers and depend on them for about 3 years. They depend on the group to learn essential skills on how to find foods, make nests and care for babies.
Communication among gorillas happens using gestures,vocal expressions, facial expressions, chest slaps and odors. Gorillas are not capable of speech like we are, but they are capable of understanding spoken words and can be taught to use sign language to communicate. Incredibly intelligent and one of the main reasons why we should protect them from any dangers that can reduce their numbers.
Gorillas are able to express many emotions that we humans express in our lives. They experience joy, greed, generosity, pride, shame, empathy, love, hate, fear, grief and jealousy. They are even capable of laughing when they are tickled.
They sleep about 13 hours each night and they spend the other time looking and eating food. Their diet includes fruits,leaves,shrubs,vines,ants,termites,worms and larvae.
There are 3 types of gorillas which include Western Lowland, Eastern Lowland and Mountain Gorillas. Each name suggests the part of Africa which they inhabit. Mountain gorillas are the most endangered of the three, having about 400 to 500 living at this time.
These animals are incredibly peaceful and their main enemy has always been humans. They are still hunted for meat and in some parts of Africa for trophies. They get caught in traps that are put for other animals and adult gorillas are killed when they protect their babies from hunters who want to capture them Now the most serious threat to gorillas is the growth of human population. As humans expand and take of over land for agriculture, logging and other development there is less land where gorillas can go. Its really sad that being the most intelligent animal on this planet, we are also one the most dangerous. We need to use our intelligence to protect what we have in this world. I think its out job to protect our home and anything else that lives within it. These animals have as much right as we do to live in peace on this planet and we must do something about it.
