10 Facts About Mountain Gorillas
10 Facts About Mountain Gorillas
10 Facts About Mountain Gorillas : Mountain gorillas are very captivating creatures regarded as endangered species, the gorillas have similar features with the humans which makes them stand out. Their huge size and fur covered bodies make them more interesting to see, mountain gorillas are only found in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mountain gorillas are gentle apes living in the Virunga ranges that is volcanoes national park in the northwest of Rwanda, Mgahinga national park in the southwest part of Uganda, Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo and Bwindi impenetrable national park in South western region of Uganda. These species were once on verge of extinction however due to conservation efforts, their population has gradually interested and there are over 1000 individuals in the world and the largest population is found in Bwindi impenetrable national park in Uganda.
Mountain gorillas are one of the most sought for creatures in the world by travelers and as you are planning to visit them, here are the 10 facts about mountain gorillas.
Description about Mount Gorillas
Unlike other gorilla species, Mountain gorillas can be identified by their long and thick fur, their unique prints on the nose and their weight (male gorillas weighs twice than the female mountain gorillas).
Like all other gorillas, they feature dark brown eyes surrounded by black ring around the iris, they weigh approximately 220 kg (490lb) with a height of 1.9 m (6ft). The adult males are called silverbacks because of their grey or silver colored hair which develops in their back as they get old.
The tallest silverback verified was 1.9 meters, gorillas are primarily earth, and however they also climb to the branches of the tree if the branches are strong enough to carry their weight.
- Gorilla Life Cycle
Interestingly mountain gorillas and humans are 98% naturally identical, the female gorilla become sexually mature at 7-8 years of age and the males tend to mature later than the females.
The female gorillas approach their breeding stage approximately about 10 years and they usually give birth after a period of 4-5 years (8-9 estimated period of gestation). This means that the giant apes can live up to 5 years of age.
- Gorilla Habitat and Diet
In Uganda, there are 2 places where you can find the gentle giants and these are Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park, Bwindi hosts the largest gorilla population with over 600 individuals.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is considered the place of darkness due to its sunshade of the trees which makes it dark within the forest. Mountain gorillas feed on leaves, shoots and stems (85.8%) of the 142 plant species, flowers (2.3%), roots (3.3%), fruits (1.7%), on bark (6.9%) and invertebrates (0.1%).
- Gorilla Social Structure
The usual of time taken to habituate a dominant silverback is 4.7 years, 61% of the gorillas groups are composed of one adult male and a number of females and 36% comprehends more than one adult male.
Mountain gorillas live in groups of 30 members together with females and young ones, the leaders and aged gorillas are known as the silverback which are in charge of all activities, protection of the family and caring about the children.
The silverbacks also determine the movement of the group and protect all the family members from any harm or threat from humans, predators such as leopards and other primates. The silverback is a center of attention most especially during the resting session.
Once a dominant silverback dies, the family may be ruthlessly interrupted unless it appoints other silverback to take over the responsibility he head. At times this may lead the family members to split and move to other unrelated facilities.
- Behavior
Mountain gorillas are strong and powerful creatures and because of this, they are perceived to be dangerous by most people. Well these giant apes are usually gentle and shy, unless they are provoked.
The mountain gorillas also have the same sensation as human and when they get hurt, they cry and laugh in happy times.
- Aggression
Mountain gorillas are very peaceful animals if not disturbed or tampered, they can lose control and attack if tourists interrupt their peace moment.
Whenever tourists are in their presence, they are advised to keep a reasonable distance away from them and not to provoke them by any means like beating in chest like them. Also using flash light is also not allowed.
Vocalization
Gorillas use several sounds to communicate with fellow gorillas like for instance, they have 25 distinct vocalizations which are recognized and they are used during social interactions while disciplining themselves.
Roars and screams sounds indicate signal and warning signs and produced mostly by silverbacks, when they are in relaxation and feeding time, there is a sound of deep, rumbling hiccups that suggest contentment and are heard repeatedly.
- Fears
Mountain gorillas appear to be naturally afraid of certain insects and reptiles, for unknown reasons, infants whose behavior is to hunt anything that moves, they will go out of their way to avoid chameleon and other reptiles.
Mountain gorillas are also afraid of water unless when they can across streams without getting wet.
- Gorillas Like Routine
Mountain gorillas have a unique practice of keeping their daily routine of waking up early in the morning at 06:00 am to start looking for larger quantities of plants to eat. Unless if the weather is cold, they can rest a bit but again they wake up and search for food again till 6 pm at night.
Mountain gorillas like sleeping until midday, they rarely drink water as they get much of their water from the plants they feed on.
- Use Tools
Mountain gorillas are very unique and intelligent mammals for example those who have been habituated are taught sign languages and how to communicate with humans. They learn so quickly in such away that they make their lives easier. They also use sticks and branches to abstract insects from the ground or hollow trees.
Mountain gorillas also use leaves, twigs and vines to make beds for their babies and themselves when they sleep which is really magical and uncommon practice to other individuals.
They also use branches to rescue youngsters who have gotten stuck in the vines and also help them to cross streams and creeks by using logs, this is mostly done by the silverback whereby they also help to remove snares from the young ones.
- Vulnerability (Human Diseases)
Mountain gorillas are 98% naturally identical to humans so it is easy for them to contract with human diseases like flue and cough and many other communicable diseases within a short period of time if not distanced from tourists.
Because of this, tourists are limited to 8 members and spend 1 hour in the presence of the gorillas during gorilla trekking experience on which you visit the gorillas in their natural habitat.
In conclusion – when going for a gorilla safari in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo, visitors should be vigilant and clear take not of the mountain gorilla characteristic for an incredible gorilla trekking experience.
