Gorillas are man’s second closest relative after the Chimpanzees. They are ranked as the largest ape primate species containing over 98.5% of human DNA. These gentle species spend most of their life span in the forest jungle however the mountain gorillas are found in the central sub-Sahara Africa. Mountain Gorillas are divided into the genus species of the eastern gorillas subdivided into the mountain gorillas found in the Albertine rift montane cloud forest in the Virunga and the Eastern lowlands in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the western gorillas subdivided into the cross-river gorillas and the western lowland inhabiting in the central west Africa. What you should know about this gentle primate species includes;
Social behaviours
Mountain Gorillas are not to be calm and gentile, unlike the chimpanzees. They are shy creatures when looked straight in the eyes but like other creatures they tend to get angry and aggressive making loud hoots and grunts throwing stems and other vegetation in case they feel insecure or any disturbances from mostly predators and visitors. They usually charge when two silver backs get in contact in one group but the fights are solved slowly by thumbing the ground with palms, chest-beating with cupped hands, one leg kick, slapping and tearing and also hooting too fast. Mountain gorillas live in a troop of over 30 members led by the Silver back as the top leader.
The silverback derives its name from the silver patch on its back as a sign of maturity and protects the troop from any danger. Mountain gorillas have hands with big webbed thumbs and can stand on their two legs and sometimes walk upright. In the process of running, they use both the hands and the hind legs. They adapt to human ways for example Koko the famous female gorilla known internationally for learning the common sign language and over 2000 English words. The weight of the female gorilla is half of the male gorilla and if the silverback dies, the female stays in the troop until a new one emerges and takes over the troop, unlike the Western Gorillas which move and join new troops.
Feeding
Mountain gorillas are known to be herbivorous whereby they diet on foliage such as fruits, stems, roots, shoots vegetables and at a low-rate diet on Fruits. They also diet on trapped insects and termites which cling to sticks. These creatures are not friends with the rain and some of the times hide and dodge it. It’s believed that gorillas don’t take water but only survive from the juice obtained from succulent fresh vegetables.
habitat
These are predominant ground creatures that construct nests for a night’s stay. However these are wild creatures in the jungle, and their sense of understanding is similar to that of a human being. Mountain gorillas normally construct new nests for shelter daily as they keep on shifting from one place to another. Nests are usually made out of Bamboo sticks and soft trees. A mother gorilla must allocate a comfortable spot for nesting.
These creatures rest during midday and prepare for a long move in the evening gathering vegetation to make nests for a night’s rest.
vocalization
Mountain Gorillas have different vocalizations in about 25 languages. They make different hoots and barks following their respective groups while in the dense forests. Such sounds made by these creatures indicate a member’s whereabouts, in case of danger, a form of excitement among others. Silverbacks often make screams and roars as a sign of warning and these are normally heard during feeding and resting session.
Protection
The role of the silverback in the group is to protect the rest of the group members. Mountain Gorillas do charge when they sense a threat from the enemy or a fight amongst each other. In case of conflict resolution, these gentle primate species beat up their chests with cupped hands, make continuous quickening hooting, throw vegetation, side way running, one kick and thump the ground with their palms.
Life span
A gorilla’s life span is between 35 and 40 years however researchers came to the conclusion that caged Gorillas are likely to live for over 50 years. Gorillas usually live in a troop of over 30-40 members led by the silverback living communally in the rain forests. It’s the responsibility of the female gorilla to groom the youngsters, teaching somersaults, wrestling and chasing.
Gestation period and parenting
This is the main duty done by the female gorilla to prevent the extinction of these gentile creatures. The gestation period of a gorilla is 257 days and they give birth after 4-5 years. It’s very difficult to tell that a Mountain gorilla is pregnant because it has a round stomach even after feeding. Gorillas get pregnant at the age of 10 years. Female Gorillas have low fertility since they have 1-2 fertility days in the month. An ovulatory cycle of a female Gorilla occurs at the age of 6 years.
Different signs are made by the female Gorillas to attract the attention of a male gorilla such as direct eye contact, approaching slowly and pursuing their lips. After reproduction the female takes care of the vulnerable and dependent youngsters and at the age of five months, the youngsters break contact with their mothers.
Intelligence
Mountain Gorillas are believed to be very intelligent with a high IQ similar to that of a human being because of the genetic code of over 98.5% in their bodies. They have hands with big webbed thumbs and can stand on their two legs and sometimes walk upright. In the process of running, they use both the hands and the hind legs. They adapt to human ways for example Koko the famous female gorilla known internationally for learning the common sign language and over 2000 English words.
It’s much fun to interact with the gentle and calm mountain gorillas. Book a gorilla safari to meet the endangered ranked giants in the East African countries such as Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.