How strong is a mountain Gorilla? Is a question that is commonly asked by visitors who come with great intentions of learning more as soon as they get a chance to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitats? The mountain Gorillas are considered as the largest living apes/ primates in the whole world and they are easily spotted with the tropical rain forests, montane forests that are situated in the East, West and the Central of Africa.
Mountain Gorillas are marked as the endangered species on the ICUN Red list together with other sub species like; the Eastern lowland gorilla and the cross-river gorilla, which are also, listed as critically endangered species. And the best destinations where tourists can be able to trek these mountain gorillas that are listed as the endangered species include; Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga national park in Uganda and also from Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Back in the 19th century, the mountain gorillas were being threatened by many factors such as; encroachment on the wetlands and within the forests, widespread poaching, deforestation and many others hence leading to the decline in the numbers of the mountain gorillas that existed. In addition, later, in 1980s, the wildlife conservation and the primatologists like Dian Fossey were introduced and several research projects on gorillas and wildlife conservation begun in the East, West and Central of Africa. Therefore, with the wildlife conservation efforts together with the research teams, the number of the mountain Gorillas started increasing gradually.
How big and Strong is a mountain Gorilla?
Mountain gorillas are specified in two categories, which are; the male gorillas and the female gorillas. The mature male gorillas are also well known as the Silverbacks, this is because of the white hair that lays on their back, and it normally develops around the age of 14 years while the adult males are referred to as the black backs. More so, these Adult male gorillas weigh up to 440 pounds and weigh between 198-200 kilograms. The wild male gorillas weigh between 136 to 195 kilograms and from 300-430 pounds while the female gorillas weigh half as much as the male adults and they weigh between 68 to 113 kilograms and 150 to 250 pounds. In history, the heaviest mountain gorilla that has ever been recorded was a silverback, which was shot dead in Cameroon Ambam and had a weight of 267 kilograms and 589 pounds. More so, male gorillas can weigh up to 310 kilograms, which is about 683 pounds. Therefore, it is important to note that gorillas are so strong species most especially the silverbacks that are capable of lifting their own heavy weight of about 815 kilograms.
How tall are Mountain Gorillas?
The adult mountain gorillas have an average height of 1.4 to 1.8 meters and it is about 4 to 7 and 5 t 11 inches tall. These adult male gorillas also have an arm span that stretches from 2.3 to 2.6 meters while the female gorillas seem to have smaller arm spans.
The Adult female gorillas have an average height of 1.25 to 1.5 meters tall more especially the silverback mountain gorillas that measure up to 1.52 meters tall. However, some of them can grow up to 2.25 meters tall. In history, the tallest mountain gorilla ever recorded was the silverback, which was found in Alimbongo in the northern Kivu, and it had a height of 1.95 meters tall, a chest of 1.98 meters, with an arm span that is about 2.7 meters, and a weight of 219 kilograms.
How often do Mountain Gorillas give birth?
Female mountain gorillas are known to have a gestation period of eight and a half months while the male gorillas are sexually active at a later age compared to the female gorillas. These female gorillas give birth to one baby every after 4-6 years and they only give birth to only three or four babies for the whole of their entire lifetime.
How close are Mountain Gorillas to humans?
The unique feature about these mountain gorillas is that they share 98% of their DNA with humans. They are known to be social, friendly apes around humans and they live in groups/ families that involve about 5 to 30 members. These mountain gorillas are known to close relatives to humans after the baboons and the chimpanzees.
Mountain gorillas affected by diseases similar to those affected by humans such as; cough, flue, Ebola, and Arthritis that affects their fingers, joints, feet and hands. They lose teeth at their old age just like humans, which has to affect their feeding routine. Lastly, Mountain Gorillas also mourn for the loss of a member as they always seen gathering around the corpse of the dead gorilla just like how humans do when they lose their loved ones.
What do Mountain Gorillas feed on?
Mountain Gorillas are herbivorous animals, which feed on leaves, fruits, plant stems, bamboo shoots and flowers as their food. In addition, their diet is comprised of snails, ants, insects, which makes them omnivorous mammals.
How much is a Gorilla trekking permit.
Best destinations where tourists who are interested participating in Gorilla trekking activities visit are in; Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, these tourists will need to pay for the gorilla trekking permits at a cost of 700 USD per person in Uganda, 1500 USD per person in Rwanda and 400 USD per person in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Therefore, tourists who have an interest of travelling to Africa to see Mountain Gorillas should feel free to contact our tour operators in case of any inquires about mountain gorillas and Book with our tours and travel companies such as Achieve Global Safaris or Explore tours Rwanda for the best offers on your wildlife safari in Africa.
