Mountain gorilla facts : When we speak about tourism and we don’t talk about gorillas it feels like an incomplete travel, well gorillas are one of the big five African animals in Uganda these primates are endangered and live at higher altitudes of the montane and bamboo forests in Uganda. Anyway it is scientifically proven that, there are two gorilla species in the world: the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla. The mountain gorilla is a category of the eastern gorilla.
Mountain gorillas animate in east-central Africa in just two isolated groups one in the Virunga Volcanoes national parks in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)) and in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, which connects to Sarambwe Nature Reserve, DRC.
There are unknown facts about the mountain gorillas that people till date would love to discover and realize much better.
True facts about mountain gorillas
We share around 98% of our DNA with gorillas
Due to the scientifically facts that these primates share 98% of their DNA with humans this simply means that these stunning creatures can get exposure to human illnesses even a cold can have possibly damaging impacts on gorillas as they are so heritably similar to us, but they haven’t developed the necessary resistances.
The biggest, most powerful living primates
Under Africans big five these primates are considered to the biggest and the most powerful of them all with an average silverback gorilla weighing up to 180kg and measure 170cm tall on all fours. In difference, female mountain gorillas weigh 90kg, and measure up to 150cm.
Can eat all day long
Just all other Animals Mountain gorillas spend about a quarter of their day eating, mainly plants. Around 80% of their régime is made up of leaves, shoots and stems, but gorillas can also eat larvae, snails, ants, and even roots, barks and rotting wood all these are good source of sodium/salt that helps to keep them healthy.
They cozy up at night
Just like any living thing even these mighty primates take rest therefore at night, mountain gorilla groups sleep together in nests on the ground, or in trees, that they make from foliage. Infants will share their mother’s nests, staying safe and warm.
16 different types of call
All living creatures have a sense of defense and away of speech therefor these primates also have ways of call and these include short barks when they’re mildly alarmed or curious. To intimidate rivals, male gorillas strut with stiff legs, beat their chests, and use vocalizations like roars or hoots.
They live in family groups
All primates live in family and even have kinds just like human beings most mountain gorillas live in stable family groups of around 10 individuals, with one leading male and several females. Both males and females in the group care for their infants; hugging, carrying and playing with them. When they get older, most males and around 60% of females then leave their birth group to join another troop. This helps prevent inbreeding. They do it just like how humans do it.
Gorillas can live to 40 years old
The grow period of these primates is so interesting these lovely primates can live up to 40 years in the wild, Gorillas are classed as infants until they reach around three-and-a-half years old, and adults from around 8 years. Males among 8-12 years are called ‘Blackbacks’. Then from 12 years old, they develop a silver section of hair over their back and hips, earning them the name ‘silverback’ that is when you get to understand that they are now aged and fully mature.
They’re under threat
The main threat to mountain gorillas is the squalor of their home. As the region’s population grows, the land is progressively transformed for cultivation and rivalry for limited natural incomes leads to deforestation. With little other choice, people enter mountain gorilla forests to collect water and firewood, putting gorillas at risk from human contact and illnesses. Gorilla tourism that isn’t well managed is another potential issue, as it can impact the behavior and health of mountain gorillas. Let’s not forget poaching.
Body Facts about Mountain Gorillas
Just like all other living things mount gorillas have a body well shaped and designed by the creator scientist have it that these primates have 98% of their DNA shared with us and here are some of the facts about their body shape, Mountain gorilla facts.
Longer Arms: Their arms are longer than their legs. This is why they usually walk on all fours. They walk on the knuckles of their hands which is properly called knuckle-walking. Gorillas can also walk with only their legs as humans do but knuckle-walking gives more balance to climb trees and steep hills.
Longer, thicker hair: Their longer and thicker body hair relief them stay in cold high altitude places. Living in sultry climates which are wet much of the year, gorillas are able to stay warm due to the curls covering their bodies. This is even more vital for the mountain gorillas that stay in high altitude.
Grey hair on the back: A developed male’s hair goes grey; initial with the back- hence the name silverback. After a young male gorilla matures, the hair on its back starts to turn grey/silver. This is around the age of 10 to12 years.
Eye Color: mountain gorilla’s eyes are dark brown, enclosed by a dark ring around the iris. Gorillas are alleged to have a remarkable eye color of dark brown, unlike humans who have many eye colors. Approximately domestic animals also have more than one eyes color, but this is rare in wild animals.
Unique Fingerprints: as we share DNA these primates as well have unique fingerprints, like humans. Assumed how carefully related we are; this mustn’t come as an outrageous expose.
Nose pattern: Gorillas also have an exclusive nose pattern that is exact to each gorilla. Since you won’t see their fingers much closer, the nose pattern is what you can use to discriminate between two similar looking folks.
5 toes and figures: just like people these primates also have 5 toes on each foot and 5 figures on each arm to help them do their activities and also easy work for them.
NOTE: some may be asking what is DNA. As human share 98% of their DNA with the mountain gorillas.
DNA: in full is Deoxyribonucleic acid
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a self-replicating material that is present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information.
