12 interesting gorilla facts
There several interesting gorilla facts that you probably need to know
The mountain gorilla numbers of recent increased to more than 1000 from the previous 880 estimate. This is a great conservation effort.
Gorillas survive in two different species which are the eastern and western gorillas with each having two other sub species. The mountain and Eastern lowland are a sub species of the eastern gorilla whereas the western lowland and Cross River are subspecies of the western gorilla.
The gorilla is the largest living world primate. The Eastern lowland gorilla is the largest of all the four sub-species.
Different types of habitats accommodate the gorillas. The mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) live in high altitudes of about 8000 – 13,000ft (1,500m-4000m) the same height a sky diver would jump out of a plane! They survive in freezing temperatures! The lowland gorillas live in lower altitude tropical forest.
Mountain gorillas live in only four national parks of Africa which are Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Congo.
Living in families or groups, most gorillas are social in nature. Their families live in groups of up to 30-40 members.
A gorilla family
A gorilla family is led by a dominant male known as the silverback, this is because of the grey fur that develops on their backs when they grow older. The silverback protects the family and determines where they will feed from each day.
Mountain gorillas have shorter arms, larger teeth, nose and jaw meanwhile the lowland gorillas have a shorter head and body fur.
All gorillas are not 100% herbivores. The Mountain gorillas strictly base their feeding on plant material such as leaves, shoots, stems, flowers and bark from the trees. Western lowland gorillas on top of plant material add fruits, Insects especially termites to their diet.
A male adult gorilla is estimated at eat more than 18 kg (40 lbs.) of vegetation each single day.
Since the high altitudes that host them are cooler, gorillas rarely drink water. Most of the water that they consume is gotten from the vegetation they feed on. They at times absorb water from due using the fur on the back of their hands and then suck it.
One can actually meet the gorillas by easily planning either a Uganda gorilla safari, Gorilla safari Rwanda or a Congo gorilla trekking safari for both a mountain and lowland gorilla trek. Always plan with a trusted gorilla safari tour operator for great memories.
Undertake a gorilla trekking safari and you will definitely learn a new interesting fact, these giants are amazing.
