The spelling of the word "Gorilla gorillas" may confuse some people due to the repeated use of the same word. However, it is actually quite simple. "Gorilla" is spelled with a double "l" in the middle and an "a" at the end. The plural form is formed by adding an "s" at the end of the word, which is pronounced as /ɡəˈrɪləz/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). So, "Gorilla gorillas" is simply the plural form of the word "Gorilla" pronounced as /ɡəˈrɪlə ɡəˈrɪləz/ in the IPA.
"Gorilla gorillas" is a scientific name for a particular species of primates, commonly known as western lowland gorillas. It is the scientific classification used to categorize and identify these animals within the animal kingdom.
Gorilla gorillas belong to the family Hominidae and are one of the two species of gorillas, with the other being Gorilla beringei. They are native to the dense forests and swamps of central and western Africa, particularly in countries like Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, and Equatorial Guinea.
These primates are distinguished by their robust build, with males being significantly larger than females. Adult males, known as silverbacks, can weigh up to 400 pounds and stand over 5 feet tall when standing on two legs. They have long, muscular arms and a massive chest, giving them immense strength.
Gorilla gorillas have coarse and dark brown to black hair covering their body, and they possess no tail. They are primarily herbivorous, feeding mainly on leaves, stems, fruits, and flowers. Social animals by nature, they live in groups called troops consisting of a dominant silverback, multiple females, and their young.
Due to habitat destruction, illegal hunting, and diseases, Gorilla gorillas are classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Conservation efforts are crucial for the survival of this species, including the establishment of protected areas and campaigns against poaching.
The etymology of the word "Gorilla gorillas" lies in the scientific naming system called binomial nomenclature. It was introduced by Swedish botanist and physician Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century as a way to provide a unique and standardized name for every species.
The word "gorilla" is derived from a Greek word "gorillai", which was used to describe a mythical tribe of hairy women. The term was first recorded in the 6th century BC by Hanno the Navigator, a Carthaginian explorer who encountered these creatures during his journey along the western coast of Africa.
When Linnaeus classified the western gorilla in 1758, he retained the term "gorilla" in the species' scientific name, Gorilla gorilla. The repetition of the word in the binomial nomenclature emphasizes the unity and distinctiveness of the species.