Physical Characteristics

| Swahili Name | Gorila or N’gagi | | Scientific Name | Gorilla gorilla beringei | | Size | Up to 6 feet tall | | Weight | 300 to 425 pounds | | Lifespan | 53 years in captivity |

Gorilla Info reveals that these incredible creatures are primarily found in dense forests and rainforests across tropical Africa. Among the different subspecies of gorillas, the mountain gorilla is the most endangered. With only around 630 remaining, they are primarily located in the Virunga Volcanoes region, situated along the borders of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda.

Diet and Behavior

Gorillas are primarily vegetarian, with their diet consisting of plants such as wild celery, bamboo, thistles, stinging nettles, bedstraw, and certain fruits. They do not need to drink water as they obtain sufficient moisture from their food.

Gorillas are nomadic and build new nests each day at dusk, constructing them of bent branches in a tree or of grasses on the ground. They live in family groups that are close-knit and can have up to 30 members, led by a fully adult male called a silverback, named for the silvery gray hairs on its back. The silverback serves as the chief protector and defender of the group.

Reproduction and Growth

Gorillas have a slow rate of reproduction, with females giving birth for the first time at around age 10 and having more offspring every three or four years. Males begin to breed between 12 and 15 years when they are in charge of their own group. Females produce a single young, weighing around 4 pounds, which they suckle regularly for about a year and gradually wean at about 3.5 years when it becomes more independent.

Gorilla info

The most serious threat to gorillas is habitat loss due to farming and other human activities, with the rich volcanic soil of the Virungas being highly valued for agriculture. Gorillas are also hunted for meat or in retaliation for crop raiding in some regions, while others are killed for their body parts.

Conservation efforts in the region, including habitat preservation and the habituation of some groups for tourist visits, have helped to ease encroachment. Conservation efforts are necessary to protect these magnificent creatures from threats such as habitat loss and hunting.

In summary, gorillas are fascinating and endangered animals native to tropical Africa, with the most endangered subspecies being the mountain gorilla. Gorillas are primarily vegetarian, nomadic, and live in close-knit family groups led by a silverback.