Facts About Mountain Gorillas
All about mountain gorillas—physical description, Habitat and Ecology, Behavior and Conservation. Mountain gorillas are the most endangered primate species and are only found in the rainforests of East and Central Africa—Uganda, Rwanda and DR.Congo. Together the Eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega and mountain gorillas are subspecies of the eastern gorillas.
Mountain gorillas are close relatives to human beings, sharing 98% DNA, making an encounter with these amazing primates an extraordinary experience. There are about 1,064 mountain gorillas remaining in the wild and these are found in two populations: one in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the second population in the Virunga Mountains, composed of Virunga National Park in DRCongo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
Physical Appearance of Mountain Gorillas
Mountain gorillas may look violent, as the mature mountain gorillas are giants; they have strong muscles and the hair on the back is silver in color, hence their name, Silverback. Mountain gorillas have large heads with fur all over apart from the face, a thick trunk, a broad chest and a large stomach. Their arms are longer than the legs and their nose has wrinkles known as nose prints, which are unique to each individual gorilla.
Feeding in Mountain Gorillas—Diet
Mountain gorillas are mainly herbivores; they feed on vegetation containing fruits, leaves, bedstraw, wild celery, stinging nettles and shoots. Sometimes they eat small insects. Males eat much more compared to the amount eaten by females.
Mountain gorillas can eat as much as 18 kg (40 lb) of vegetation each day. They favor celery, thistles, wood, and roots, and they rarely drink because they consume succulent vegetation which is full of water as well as morning dew
Habitat of Mountain Gorillas
The endangered mountain gorillas live in forests on hilly areas. They live on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains. Therefore, trekking for mountain gorillas involves hiking; these primates have more fur compared to other primates. This fur enables them to survive in their habitats, which are characterized by low temperatures.
Mountain Gorilla Reproduction
Female gorillas are ready to give birth at the age of around 10 years. After a gestation period of 8.5 months, they give birth to a single baby. Baby gorillas normally weigh about 1.8 kg at birth. There are few cases of gorillas giving birth to twins. Maternal care takes quite a long time—an average of 5 years caring for one baby.
Often female gorillas give birth to 3 or 4 gorillas during their reproductive life.
Reproduction in mountain gorillas is low and slow.
Mobility and Flexibility
Mountain gorillas are known as very mobile primates; they roam around the thick forests and hills for different reasons. After a night in one location, they shift to a different area where they will make nests in the evening before they rest. They move around, jumping on different branches, picking fruits and flowers, and playing.
Prone to Human Diseases
Due to the 98% DNA that mountain gorillas share with human beings, they are prone to airborne infections that affect humans. Infections that are easily transferred to these primates are the flu and cough and can claim their lives. This is the reason why anyone with a cold is prohibited from visiting the gorillas.
When in the forest on a gorilla trek, anyone who wants to cough must cover their mouth.
Regardless of how long or short the trek was, meeting and interacting with gorillas for one hour is one of the most exciting moments that you will have on the Uganda safari.
Behaviors
The silverback gorilla protects the gorilla. Mountain gorillas are tremendously social and live in groups of two to 40 led by the silverback—a dominant male of the group that is the chief leader and protector. The majority of males leave their biological group at around 11 years old. Some move alone and other travelers with other males for a few years until they attract females to join them. The silverback leads the group to the best spots for feeding and resting throughout the year.
Generally, conflicts are resolved through standoffs and intimidating behaviors meant to frighten intruders away without causing physical harm. However, almost 10 times stronger than the biggest American football players, a silverback protects its groups from threats, even if it means sacrificing his own life.
Mountain gorilla infants develop twice as fast as humans
Usually the female gives birth when she turns 10 and has offspring every four or more years. Newborns are weak and weigh only four pounds. Their first movements are awkward, like a human infant, but they develop almost twice as fast. Infants nurse and are gradually weaned after they turn three, when they are more independent.
Unfortunately, infants are targeted by poachers.
What is a mountain gorilla?
Mountain gorilla is one of the two subspecies of the eastern gorilla and one of the world’s largest living primates. These apes have muscular arms, a massive chest, broad hands and feet, longer hair and shorter arms than their lowland cousins. Their thick black hair helps insulate them from cold weather.
