Mountain gorillas facts life behavior

Mountain gorillas facts life behavior and ways of life are so nearest to those of human beings given the 98% DNA match we have with these gentle giant apes. Mountain gorillas further display their intelligence in the way they treat their babies and socialize in their families.

What are mountain gorillas?

Weighing up to 180-200 kg and 5’5” feet tall (170cm) on all four legs and female gorillas weigh 90-130 kg and 4’9” (150 cm) tall, the endangered strong gentle giant mountain gorillas are a relatives of eastern lowland gorillas and live in montane forests at elevations of 8,000 to 13,000 feet. The giant apes have thicker fur, and more of it, compared to other great apes and they are the largest of the living primate species. Mountain gorillas are remaining 1,100 in number according to the last census conducted found in east-central Africa in Virunga massif intersecting Rwanda, Uganda and D.R. Congo in the volcanoes national park, Mgahinga national park and many other at the Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park of Uganda. Mountain gorillas share 98.3% DNA with humans and this gets them to have the same behaviors and challenges like humans for example diseases that affect humans, affect gorillas.

Mountain gorilla names and identification

Just like human beings having unique finger prints, each mountain gorilla has a unique nose print different from any other; This has helped their caretakers to name gorillas and make records especially while giving them medical attention and other monitoring services. Naming ceremonies of the new born members at gorilla parks is also one of the most exciting moments and event.

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Gorilla diet; What do gorillas eat?

Mountain gorillas are primarily herbivores; the majority of their diet comprises of 85.8% of leaves, shoots and plant stems of over 140 plant species. They also feed on tree barks (6.9%), roots (3.3%) and fruits like figs (1.7%) as well as invertebrates (0.1%) such as larvae, snails, ants etc., rotting wood- a good source of salt/sodium for them. In the monitoring studies and research at Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park, adult males eat an average of 18.8 kg (41lbs.) of food per day whereas females eat 14.9 kg (33 lbs.) of green per day.

Do gorillas eat meat?

Meat contributes less than 2% of the gorilla’s diet. Gorillas eat meat if it is served to them for example those that are caged in zoos and sanctuaries. Mountain gorillas in the forests are not fond of hunting for meat like chimpanzees but will eat meat of carcass of monkeys, kobs, wild pigs etc. if they come across any.

Gorilla family life & structure

Mountain gorillas live in stable family groups of between 10-20 individuals with one dominant male- the silverback- and several females. Both males and females in the group care for their infants; hugging, carrying and playin with them. During the night, gorillas sleep in groups cuddling together for warmth in nests they make on ground. When they get older, most males around 60% and females leave their birth group to join another troop. This helps prevent inter-breeding; this way maintaining a strong DNA structure.

Are gorillas dangerous or aggressive?

Mountain gorillas are very powerful and strong with big hand muscles yet are gentle and very shy. Severe aggression is rare in stable groups but when two mountain gorilla groups meet, sometimes can engage in a fight to the death using their canines to tear causing deep gaping injuries. Conflicts are most often resolved by displays and other threat behaviors that are intended to intimidate without becoming physical. These behaviors go through a nine sequence steps: 1- progressively quickening hoots, 2- symbolic feeding, 3- rising bipedal gestures, 4- throwing vegetation, 5- chest beating with cupped hands, 6- one leg kick, 7- sideways running on two or four legs, 8- slapping and tearing vegetation and 9- thumping the ground with palms to end display.

How do gorillas communicate?

Mountain gorillas have twenty-five different vocalizations known and mostly used primarily for group communication within dense forest vegetation. Sounds classified as barks and grants are heard most frequently while moving and indicate the whereabouts of individual group members. Screams and roars signal alarm or warning and are produced most often by silverbacks as they command their leadership in the family. Deep and rumbling belches suggest contentment and are heard frequently during feeding and resting periods among their families.

Gorillas having sex| mating

Gorillas mate once an hour during the days when the females are in their heat periods. Females start mating at around the age of 8 years and get pregnant within periods of 3-4 years given the long weaning periods and care given to their young babies. Gorillas live up to 40 years of age. Females usually loose sexual desires after the age of 30 years.

Do gorillas drink water or swim?

Mountain gorillas do not like nearing large waterbodies- lakes & rivers in fear of drowning as they can’t swim. They get most of the water supplement to their bodies through the water logged bamboos, tree barks and stems. Though in some incidences when gorillas are crossing shallow streams or come across small water streams sloping down the mountains, they will get closer and bend towards the water and use their palms to draw some water for drinking just as human beings.

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Mountain gorillas facts life behavior

What are mountain gorillas?

Mountain gorilla names and identification

Best Mountain gorillas facts life behavior & trekking safari packages

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Gorilla diet; What do gorillas eat?

Do gorillas eat meat?

Gorilla family life & structure

Are gorillas dangerous or aggressive?

How do gorillas communicate?

Gorillas having sex| mating

Do gorillas drink water or swim?

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