Mountain Gorillas: Facts, Lifespan, Diet, Habitat: Everything to Know.
Facts about mountain gorillas are explained on this page. These are the top ten facts about mountain gorillas: their scientific name, population, diet, habitat, lifespan, and endangered status.
A mountain gorilla: what is it?
One of the two subspecies of the eastern gorilla, this giant ape is one of the largest primates still living in the world. In addition to having large hands and feet, strong limbs, and a large chest, these apes are shorter-armed and have longer hair than their lowland counterparts. They are protected from cold weather by their thick black hair.
Top Mountain Gorilla Facts: Presented in a Video
Gorilla beringei beringei, the formal name for mountain gorillas, is a subspecies of the eastern gorilla belonging to the phylum Chordata. Learn 10 facts about mountain gorillas, including their population, diet, habitat, longevity, significance, and many other topics;
Mountain Gorilla is the common name.
Gorilla beringei beringei is its scientific name. Its average lifespan is 35 years.
300–485 pounds in weight
Height at Standing: 4 to 6 feet Details about the Mountain Gorilla
The IUCN Red List lists mountain gorillas as endangered.
Depending on what is included, humans and gorillas share between 95 and 99 percent of their DNA. After chimpanzees and bonobos, they are the closest living relatives of humans.
At almost 150 kg, they are among the largest primates still alive.
They live with multiple people in family groups. A band or troop is a collection of gorillas that are all commanded by the dominant Silverback, the group’s adult male.
Gorillas use a variety of calls to communicate. These include struts, roars, or hoots to frighten opponents, and brief barks when they are intrigued.
Gorillas are gregarious and pose no threat to people.
What is the current global population of mountain gorillas?
The population of a species that was once in danger of going extinct is now gradually growing. According to the most recent census, there are now 1063 mountain gorillas in the world.
According to the 2018 census, the total number of mountain gorillas in the ecosystem of Sarambwe nature reserve and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is predicted to have grown to 1063 as of 2019.
In these two habitats of the endangered great apes, this is the greatest mountain gorilla population ever seen.
The appearance of mountain gorillas
Compared to western gorillas, mountain gorillas have the darkest coloring.
The Mountain Gorilla has a taller face, a wider chest, and the thickest hair. It is also dark in hue.
When you look closely at a mountain gorilla’s eye, you can see that it is dark brown and has a black ring around the iris.
Known as “knuckle walking,” gorillas hardly ever walk upright for short distances, especially while they are defending themselves.
In addition to using their hands, particularly their backs, some mountain gorillas have been observed to walk on their knuckles.
Adult male gorillas in the wild can weigh between 136 and 195 kg, whereas adult female gorillas weigh between 68 and 113 kg, which is about half of the adult weight. Adult males range in height from 1.4 to 1.8 meters, while females are slightly shorter at 1.25 to 1.5 meters.
– Mountain Gorilla Life Span – How long do mountain gorillas live?
In the wild, mountain gorillas are thought to live around 35–40 years. In their natural habitat, mountain gorillas can live for 35 to 40 years. Because of how much they eat, they have not adapted to survive in zoos or captivity and only exist in their natural habitat.
In the wild, silverback and female gorillas can live for up to 35 years or longer. The complicated diet that mountain gorillas can have in the wild is most likely the reason why they do not do well in captivity, however there are other unknown causes as well.
Where are the habitats of mountain gorillas?
They are found in two separate groups: one in the Virunga range and the other in the Bwindi forest.
These three nations have four national parks where mountain gorillas can be found and traveled worldwide.
The native habitats of mountain gorillas include Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A Ugandan gorilla trekking safari, a Rwandan gorilla trekking tour, or a Congo gorilla trekking safari are the only ways to observe these gentle giants.
They reside in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. They can be found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga National Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. The massive Virunga volcanoes include Mgahinga, Virunga, and Volcanoes.
Dietary habits of mountain gorillas
The primary food source for mountain gorillas is vegetables. Because the vegetation is mostly stems, leaves, fruits, bamboo shoots, pith, roots, moths, and grubs, they can eat all day long.
They occasionally add insects, termites, and ants to their diet. They consume up to 250 plant types and even more fiber meals. Gorillas mostly depend on the availability of food rather than their choice of diet.
Another fact regarding the diet of mountain gorillas is that they hardly ever drink water since they eat so much vegetation.
Why Mountain Gorillas Are Special
In contrast to other gorillas, mountain gorillas can be found up to 1,500–4,000 meters above sea level. Since the temperature can dip below freezing at these elevations, their longer and thicker fur protects them.
Within the genus Gorilla, they are the only subspecies incapable of surviving in captivity. You must go observe them in their native environment.
The Significance of Mountain Gorillas
Like all other wild species, gorillas are extremely significant. Because these large-scale grazers consume a lot of vegetation, they have a significant impact on the environment. The food chain’s natural equilibrium would be upset in their absence.
Thousands of individuals now have jobs in the tourism sector thanks to these companies’ presence in the nations where they reside. Additionally, it has raised the living conditions of individuals who work and the local communities that benefit from the profits.
The sleeping habits of Mountian Gorillas
Like the majority of their primate counterparts, gorillas sleep in nests. Depending on factors like vegetation and security, they either repair nests on the group or in trees. Every day, each family constructs a nest, which they then enter before nightfall.
Babies who are too young or incompetent to construct their own nest will share it with their mother. This continues until their mother gives birth to another child, which typically occurs four years later. They will learn how to construct their own nests during the day before departing from their mothers’ nests.
The Endangerment of Mountain Gorillas
Facts on Mountain Gorillas: These primates are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, meaning they could go extinct. They were listed as critically endangered for a few years, but because of excellent conservation efforts, their numbers rose and they are now considered endangered.
Disease, poaching, and habitat destruction are the three biggest risks to the mountain gorilla population.
