Top 10 Interesting Facts About Mountain Gorillas
Find out the top 10 most interesting facts about mountain gorillas, from their habitat and social structure, to their diet and conservation status.
Because of their complex social structure and intelligence, mountain gorillas are enormous and fascinating species of primates. Nature lovers find them fascinating because of their capacity to behave like people, including the use of various tools, a wide range of vocalizations for communication, and the formation of intricate family units characterized by tenderness and care, especially between mothers and their young.
Interesting Facts About Mountain Gorillas
Approximately 1,063 of these animals remain in the wild worldwide
There are two species of gorillas found in the wild in Africa: the eastern gorillas and the western gorillas. The mountain gorillas are a subspecies of the eastern gorillas.
They are called mountain gorillas because of their natural habitats, which are at high altitudes ranging from 8,000 to 13,000 feet above sea level.
In contrast, other gorilla species, such as lowland gorillas, inhabit low altitude areas. The mountainous nature of their habitats significantly influences their behavior, diet, and physical adaptations, making them very different from other gorilla species.
Mountain gorillas are only found in two isolated populations in the world.
The first population is in the Virunga Massif, which spans the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are primarily found in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The second population is in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, which is home to the largest population of gorillas.
These areas are characterized by high altitudes and dense forests, making them an ideal habitat for these animal species.
On average, humans and gorillas share about 98% of their DNA
The close genetic relationship, evidenced by various similarities and physical structures, makes gorillas our close relatives.
This genetic closeness also means that they are vulnerable to human diseases, especially communicable ones such as colds, coughs, chickenpox, and Ebola.
These can significantly impact mountain gorillas as they do not have sufficient immunity to combat them. Therefore, humans must take precautions while in their habitats.
They are one of the largest, extremely powerful and strong primates on earth.
Silverback gorillas typically weigh between 300 to 485 pounds (136 to 220 kilograms). They are about 5.5 feet tall when standing straight and are 9 times stronger than a man.
They can lift over 800kg of dead weight, which is double the amount a well-trained weight lifter can lift. Females usually weigh about 90kg and are about 4.9 feet tall when standing straight.
They can eat all day
Mountain gorillas are diurnal, spending most of their day eating and resting at night. They consume large quantities of food with males eating about 50 pounds per day to sustain their massive weight.
They are terrestrial and quadrupedal, but they can also climb trees in search of food or for leisure if the branches can support their weight.
Gorillas build a new nest each night using surrounding vegetation.
Each gorilla sleeps in its own nest, with mothers sleeping with their infants and sometimes the silverback allowing infants to join its nest.
They leave their nests early in the morning to forage, but during the wet seasons, they may stay in their nests longer.
They stay in families just like humans
Each gorilla family consists of at least 10 members and is led by a dominant silverback gorilla. The silverback is responsible for protecting the family, deciding where the family should feed and nest, mating with all the females in the family, and defending the it from intruders.
These Primate Species don’t have Tails
Gorillas, like other members of the Hominidae family such as humans, chimpanzees, orangutans, and bonobos, are tailless. This absence of a tail is their distinguishing characteristic from other primate species.
Female gorillas have a gestation period of 8 to 9 months, similar to humans.
They reach breeding age at 10 years and prefer mating with the dominant silverback, so they try to avoid other males. They usually give birth to one offspring and reproduce within a period of 4 to 6 years. Both the silverback and the mother take care of the infants, and they are cared for over a period of 4 years.
Gorilla can live up to 40 years in the wild
The lifespan of gorillas depends on various factors such as habitat quality, availability of food and water, human activities, and disease prevalence. In the wild, gorillas can live for over 40 years if they can avoid threats, maintain good health, and overcome challenges. This explains why gorillas in captivity can live up to 50 years.