Characteristics of Mountain Gorillas – How do mountain gorillas behave?

As the name suggests, these primates live in mountainous areas of higher elevations of up to 13,123 feet. These incredible animals are the largest of all the primates. Male Mountain gorillas weigh up to 220kg while the females weigh up to 98kg. Because of their weight, they are mainly terrestrial and quadruped and only climb strong trees with big and strong branches to be able to handle their enormous weight.
Cannot live in captivity and only live in the mountainous and forested areas in three countries that are; Uganda Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Mountain gorillas also have thick fur on their skin. This is because they stay in areas of higher altitude with cold temperature; thus the longer fur regulates their body temperature.

They have shorter arms compared to the other gorilla species. Mountain gorillas are vegetarians that feed on wild celery, nettles, Bamboo shoots, leaves, roots. Occasionally they eat worms and ants.
The gestation period is nine months and the females give birth to one baby at a time weighing about 2kgs, start walking at 10months old whereby after 3 years they are weaned. These primates are slow reproducing animals and which explains their small number in the whole world.

These fascinating primates live in groups (troops) of up to 30 members comprising one or two silverbacks, alpha females, blackbacks, juvenile females and the infants. They live in harmony with the silverback gorilla in charge of the major decisions in the troop, including where they will feed for the day, their movement, where they sleep and also in case of any conflicts with another group the silverback offers defense and backed up by the blackbacks. Other members who oppose the silverback will be challenged to a physical fight who responds by beating his chest, barking when aggressive.

The female mountain gorillas are very protective of their babies and can fight for them to death. Mountain gorillas of up to 6 years spend most of their time playing, swinging on trees, chasing one another.
The average height of the mountain gorillas ranges between 4 to 6 feet (approximately 1.2 meters to 1.8 meters tall)
Mountain gorillas are known to be friendly to one another, for example, the infants can play on the Silverbacks without any troubles. They are also sociable, Peaceful and friendly animals to human beings and only become aggressive if threatened or disturbed and respond by making a loud noise.

In conclusion, the mountain gorillas are interesting and incredible primates because of their unique characteristics and behaviors, tourists who come to Uganda should not miss the golden opportunity to trek gorillas and interact with them. However, they are also endangered and therefore all stakeholders should put their efforts to conserve them and allow them to increase in populations for future generations.