What is the scientific name for the western gorilla?

The scientific name for the western gorilla is Gorilla gorilla.

This species is one of the two living gorilla species, the other being the eastern gorilla, Gorilla beringei. The western gorilla lives in parts of Central and West Africa and is generally lighter-colored than its eastern relative.

Scientists recognize two western-gorilla subspecies: the western lowland gorilla, Gorilla gorilla gorilla, and the Cross River gorilla, Gorilla gorilla diehli. The repeated name means the subspecies belongs to the species Gorilla gorilla.

A common mix-up is choosing Gorilla beringei, which is the scientific name of the eastern gorilla. Pan troglodytes is the chimpanzee, while Pongo pygmaeus is the Bornean orangutan. Both western-gorilla subspecies are classified as Critically Endangered.