What Have We Got in Common With a Gorilla? Insight Into Human Evolution from Gorilla Genome Sequence
The gorilla, the largest of the living primates, is a ground-dwelling herbivore that inhabits the forests of Africa.
Gorillas are divided into two species and either four or five subspecies.
Its DNA is 97% - 98% identical to that of a human, and is the next closest living relative to humans after the two chimpanzee species.
Gorillas are closely related to humans and are considered highly intelligent.
A few individuals in captivity, such as Koko, have been taught a subset of sign language.
Both species of gorilla are endangered, and have been subject to intense poaching for a long time.
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