Facts about mountain gorillas; However, in the world there are two gorilla subspecies; the eastern gorilla and the western gorillas. Of which mountain gorillas are subspecies of the eastern gorillas. More so, they are critically endangered mountain gorillas that estimates over 1,065 in the wild according to the latest census results which is done every after 5 to 10 years.
Mountain gorillas are the land living mammals that live in two isolated places Virunga ranges and tropical rainforest. They are found in high altitude montane and bamboo forest which are surrounded by agriculture and settlements. The fact, mountain gorillas are found in three countries; Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. In Uganda are found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both located in the southwestern region of Uganda estimates about 8 to 9 hours’ drive from Kampala to each destination, In Rwanda gorillas can be seen in Volcanoes National Park and Congo in Virunga National Park.
Others facts about mountain gorillas
They share around 98% of our DNA, meaning mountain gorillas are more likely to be affected with human illnesses since they are so genetically similar to us but they haven’t developed the necessary immunities.
Mountain gorillas are one of the biggest most powerful living primates. Like the silverback gorillas can weigh up to 180 kilograms and measure around 170-centimeter-tall on all fours. Then the female mountain gorillas weigh 90 kilograms and measure up to 150centmeter.
Mountain gorillas can eat all day long and around 85% of their diet is made up of leaves, shoots and stems but still gorillas can eat larvae, snail, ants and even roots, barks and rotting wood ‘’ which is a good source of sodium-salt’’.
At night, they tend to sleep together in nests on the ground or in tree branches that they make from foliage. The infants tend to share their night with their mother’s nests in regard of staying warm and safe.
Mountain gorillas do communicate through using several different types of calls. They usually use short barks when they’re mildly alarmed. The silverback will strut with stiff legs, beat their chests and use vocalization like roars or hoots.
Mountain gorillas live a family group of about 5 to 35 individuals of species with one dominant male and several females. Both male and the mother in the family care for their infants through hugging, carrying and playing with them.
When these infants grow older, most of males and about 60% of female’s gorillas tend to leave their birth group to join another troop. In other words, helps to prevent inbreeding.
Gorillas in the wild can live to over 40 years old.
Mountain gorillas are classed as infants till they reach around three and a half years old and they turn adults from the age of 8 years.
Male gorillas aged between 8 to 12 years are called blackbacks. Then from 12 years old they start developing a silver hair over their back and hips thus naming them silverback.
They undergo threat of poaching for bush meat, diseases, human destructions. They all injure the great apes thus leading to decrease.
Mountain gorillas keep on moving in their nature inhabitants, through venturing onto farmlands to eat crops such as maize and bananas which can cause conflicts with people who need to make a living.
They are one of nature’s largest primates.
Mountain gorillas are social beings, that travel in groups of 5 to 35 individuals.
They are gentle and peaceful creatures you will ever encounter.
Mountain gorillas live in calm and organized group and rarely attack unless threatened.
They feed on leaves, flowers, tree barks, stems, roots and ants.
Silverback can eat over 18 kilograms of vegetation in a day to support his massive body.
A female gorilla is pregnant for 9 months and normally give back to one infants at a time.
An infant weigh about 1.8 kilograms at birth and will start riding on the mother’s backs as a form of transportation once they reach four months of age.
Cost of Mountain gorillas –Gorilla permits
A gorilla permits costs USD700 in Uganda while on Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safaris, USD1,500 in Rwanda and USD400 in Democratic of Congo. If you are interested in the gorilla habituation experience allows you to spend more time ‘’four hours’’ with the gorillas than in normal gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking you’re given one hour only.
