Skull Lab

Sarah Cates and Gigi Emerson

Gorilla Background
Largest living primate
The closest relation to Gorillas are Chimpanzees and humans who all share a
common ancestor from 7 million years ago
Gorillas live on a schedule rotating between resting, eating and migrating
throughout the forest
Gorillas typically eat foliage but still feature large canine teeth
Gorillas are most commonly knuckle walking but can walk on two feet

Gorilla Skull Shape

Large canines
No forehead and very snout like shape
Large thick browbone
Female skull is significantly smaller than the male skull
Large crests on males and a small crest on females
Males have much larger canines than the Female
Their cranial cavity has a very similar volume between gender

Chimpanzee Background
Chimpanzees are descended from a common ancestor shared by both gorillas and
humans
Exclusively African type of great ape
Are very smart and often build tools in order to increase food supply or aid in
other ways
Communicate much similarly to humans through sounds, facial expressions and
hand gestures
When Chimps talk the same area in the brain as the language center in humans
is activated

Chimpanzee Skull Shape

Skull shape very similar to that of a gorilla
Size is smaller than human skull
Large canine teeth in ratio to face
Rounded forehead
Very small crest on skull
Browbone is large and thick
Snout like nose