Mountain gorillas, gorilla beringei beringei, are found in forests between the altitudes of 8000 feet and 13000 feet, such an environment warrants unique adaptations to be survivable. One of the most prominent features is a coat of fur that is thicker and more silky in nature to other gorilla species, this increase in density provides more ample protection from the cooler air temperatures found in their habitat. Their extremities are small to reduce heat loss as well. Their nostrils are larger than that of other gorillas which allow them to breath easier at high altitude.
Gorilla beringei have been observed to leave large amounts of dung so that they can begin feeding soon after sunrise, spending approximately 50% of daylight hours feeding. Their jaws and digestive tract have been specialised to a highly fibrous herbivorous diet. Their dental structure is described as “high crested molar surfaces and narrow central incisors adapted for shearing leaves”. They have simple stomachs and a long small intestine specialised for subsisting on structural carbohydrates found in the plants and fruits they eat.
Coli, Escherichia Coli, are primarily found in the lower intestines of mammals conforming to the unique environment found there. Acting as a commensal microbiota that assists in the breakdown and absorption of nutrients from consumed items. While most strains have adapted to be beneficial for their host environment, some strains are known to cause a wide range of gastrointestinal issues with symptoms such as diarrhoea, cramping, nausea and mild fever in some cases.
E. Coli are an incredibly diverse species, with a core genome of approximately 2000 genes that all strains share and 10,000 genes that makeup each strains unique interactions. While one strain will be commensal in the intestine of cattle, when introduced into a human intestine, through accidental means, causes intense diarrhoea. Even more unique is some strains are passive while in human intestines but outside of that specific environment can cause rampant UTI infections which can infect the bloodstream or even the spinal fluid of human hosts.