Native to the tropical forests of Cameron, Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, lowland gorillas are one of the largest members of the primate order. Gorillas are remarkably intelligent, and are believed to be one of the smartest animals in the world. History: Sadly, lowland gorillas are classified as endangered due to poaching, habitat loss, and habitat fragmentation. Gorillas are also susceptible to natural diseases. Despite being critically endangered, lowland gorilla numbers are slowly increasing due to beneficial legislation and sanctuaries, and there is reason to believe they can rebound in the near future. Scientific Name: Gorilla gorilla gorilla Characteristics: Due to their intelligence, gorillas can learn to use tools as well as communicate with humans and other gorillas through basic sign language. Size: 4.25 inches long and 3.75 inches tall.