Fast Facts About Mountain Gorillas

Type: Mammal

Diet: Omnivore

Average life span in the wild:35 years

Size: Standing height, 4 to 6 ft (1.2 to 1.8 m)

Weight: 300 to 485 lbs (135 to 220 kg)

Group name: Troop or band

Protection status: Endangered

Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man:

Mountain gorillas are the biggest primates in the apes’ family found only in three countries of Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic republic of Congo. Many travelers take gorilla safaris to these destinations in order to see the mountain gorillas in their natural wild. Here are five facts that you should know about mountain gorillas;

1. Mountain gorillas are listed by the IUCN as critically endangered species. The primate contains about 95% to 98% of the human DNA and thus man’s closet relative. Mountain gorillas live in the thick rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable national park, Mgahinga, Volcanoes and Virunga national park and it is the major attractions in these national parks tourists enjoy during their safaris to Uganda and Rwanda

2. Mountain gorillas feed on fresh vegetation like leaves, fruits, shoots and pith. They rarely take water because of the high concentration of water in their foods. Gorillas live in groups headed by a male silver back that defends the group from any threat and danger. The male silver back is the strongest of all the gorillas and each gorilla group has its own silverback. Gorilla tracking safaris is the best opportunity to enjoy the sight of these beautiful primates

3. Just like man, gorillas have well-coordinated activities and programs. They used their morning time to gather food to eat and enjoy their mid-day time to relax. Relaxing is very important for gorillas as they use that time to create good relationship among the group. This also explains way gorilla trekking safaris can be done early morning because it is during that time where you have the chance to encounter with them.

4. Gorillas are very aggressive. Their aggressiveness is very high when two silver backs meet but aggression is minimal within a group. When two silver backs meet, they fight to fear death and mostly they fight to win more female gorillas to their group. In spite of their aggression, they also experience fear when they encounter with crocodiles, caterpillars, chameleons and other reptiles.

5. If you would love to see the mountain gorillas in the wild, there are several places where one can go gorilla trekking which include Bwindi national park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Virunga National Park in Congo and Volcanoes national park in Rwanda. There are several safaris also offer tourists the opportunity to do bird watching while tracking gorillas in Bwindi National park. Remember this park was voted the best birding sight by African bird club. Enjoy gorilla tracking in Mgahinga national park and have a chance to sight the beautiful golden monkeys