Ann Styse, age 12, of Lancaster, Penna.., for her question:
How does an ape compare with a gorilla?
The ocelot and the lion are cats. Both belong to the tooth‑and‑claw cat family. The chimpanzee and the gorilla are apes. Both of them belong to the ape family, the tailless, intellectual upper crust of the animal world. Some people call these smarties the anthropoid., which means manlike, apes.
The gorilla, thin, is an ape. Compared with the other members of his family he is a giant. However, ho rates only third on his school report card. His cousin the chimpanzee is at the top of the class and his cousin the orangutang is in second place in intelligence.
Though only five and a half feet tall, a big male gorilla may tip the scalps at 600 pounds. His chest and shoulders are very wide and powerful. Though his legs are short, his long, strong arms reach down below his knees. He may have an arm spread. of eight feet. The face of the gorilla is dark and grim and far from handsome. When angry, he shows sharp canine teeth.
Altogether, Mr. Gorilla looks like a terrifying monster. In f act, we hear all kinds of tales about his danger to human beings. But the truth of the matter :is that the big ape would rather have nothing to do with us at all. He will not steal a human baby or kids of a woman. He would rather run away than fight a man, though he will defend himself or his family when cornered ‑ for he is no coward.
In the dense African jungle which is his home the gorilla rarely gets into a fight. He is a family man, content to roam with his wives and children searching for food. And what do you suppose this fierce looking big ape eats? He dines on fruit, nuts and vegetables. He may raid a bird's nest, but he never kills to eat,
The gorilla family loves comfort. At night, a mother builds a leafy nest in a tree for herself and her baby.
Papa is too heavy to sleep in a tree. So he gathers leaves end twigs and builds a nest on the ground. There he beds down to sleep, usually with his back propped up against a tree. These shelters are made for just one night's sleep. Sometimes a roof is built over the nest to keep out the rain. After all, the gorillas are apes, the clever ones of the animal world.
Though Mr. Gorilla can swing through the trees on his powerful arms, he prefers to spend most of his tune on the ground. He can stand and walk almost upright. But when in a hurry he goes on all fours. He walks on the outer sides of his feet and the bent knuckles of his hands.
When threatened by an enemy, the big ape really puts on a show. He shows how intelligent he is by trying to settle the argument before it gets rough. He rears up to his full height, glaring and snarling. He beats his barrel chest with his fists. Then he lifts his shaggy head and gets ready to roar. The terrifying noisy begins with a few sharp snarls and barks. It builds up to a blood curdling yell which lingers and echoes through the jungle. We are not surprised to learn that the big ape has no natural enemies.