3.5 Habitat Map

A. Gorilla Habitat

Now we know what countries gorillas live in, but why do they live there? What characteristics of those countries make them a good habitat for gorillas to live? 

Directions: Check out these images of the habitat below. Some of these images are of gorilla habitat. Some are not. What do the gorilla habitat images have in common? 

B. Elevation: Climbing Higher

Western gorillas live in the lowlands. They live in the warm, hot forest. Eastern gorillas live higher up, in the mountains in cooler forests. Mountains have a higher elevation. 

Elevation is how high you are above sea level. The higher you climb up a mountain, the colder it gets. 

Directions: Here is the picture of the eastern and western gorillas one more time. 

  1. Which one looks like it would survive at a higher elevation where it’s colder? Why?

Longer hair

The eastern gorilla has much longer hair. They've developed longer hair over time to help them survive in the colder mountains.

Did you know that as more people move into gorilla habitat, gorillas are moving higher and higher into the mountains where it's colder?

Check Your Thinking

C. Topographical Map of Africa

Topographical Map of Africa

Gorillas live near different geographic features in Africa. This is a topographical map of Africa. It shows major landforms in Africa, along with some of the climate and habitats near those landforms. 

 

Directions: Learn more about the geography and habitat of gorillas in Africa. As you explore the map, label the following in your Mission Log: 

  1. Geographic features where Western gorillas live
  2. Geographic features where Eastern gorillas live 
  3. The rainforest
  4. The cloud forest
  5. The Sahara  
Challenge: This map is a satellite image taken from space. What do you notice about the colors of the land? What does that tell you about which parts are drier and which areas likely get more rain? How might that impact where gorillas live? 

D. Mapping the Continent

To help gorillas, we have to understand more about where they live and how geography impacts them. 

To help us learn more, we’re going to create a map of Africa out of playdough and mark key geographic features and countries where gorillas are found. We can use this map to show others where gorillas live and why. 

To help you make your map, you’ll combine the information from the two maps you explored: 

  1. A political Map
  2. A Topographical Map

 Directions: Follow the directions in your Mission Log. Be sure your map shows:

  1. 6 countries where gorillas live
  2. 5 geographic features important to gorillas.
You should use the maps in lessons 3.4 and 3.5 to help you.
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