Augustus | |
---|---|
Details | Augustus is also known as Gus. He was born on August 9, 1981 at the Bronx Zoo. He came to the National Zoo on September 20, 1987. The carrot he is eating was organically grown by volunteers in the NZP vegetable garden. |
Species | Lowland Gorilla - Gorilla G. Gorilla |
Range | Zaire River Basin, from coastal Gabon to the Virunga Mts. of Zaire, Rwanda & Uganda. |
Habitat | Undisturbed rain forests to 3,000 m. (10,000 ft.). |
Social Structure | Troops of 4 to 30 gorillas; a silver-backed male leads each troop. |
Behavior | Shy, unaggresive. Builds nests on the ground or in trees up to 18 m. (60 ft.) where they spend the night. |
Voice | About 16 different vocalizations. |
Diet | Prefers leaves, shoots & buds. |
Lifespan | 37 years in zoos. |
Status | Endangered |