Mountain Gorilla

Species

There are two species of gorilla, Eastern and Western, each with two subspecies.

Gorilla beringei beringei
Gorilla beringei graueri
Gorilla gorilla diehli
Gorilla gorilla gorilla

or Mountain gorilla
or Eastern Lowland gorilla
or Cross River gorilla
or Western Lowland gorilla

Population

Mountain gorilla: in 2019, WWF said numbers were about 1,000.
Eastern lowland gorilla: according to WWF, numbers are less than 4,000.
Cross River gorilla: only 200-300 individuals
Western lowland gorilla: unknown as their numbers are widespread and they live is very dense forests. They are thought to be the most numerous of the four subspecies.
The IUCN lists both the Eastern and Western gorillas as critically endangered (at at 2016). However, in 2018, the mountain gorilla was listed as endangered with numbers increasing.

Size

The mountain gorilla is 1-2 metres tall and can weigh between 135-220 kg.
The largest gorilla is the Eastern lowland gorilla.

Habitat & distribution

Mountain gorillas are found in Central Africa. They have the thickest and longet fur of all the great apes due to the sometimes freezing temperatures of their mountainous habitat.
In contrast, the other gorilla species live in lower lying forests.

Human diseases are threatening gorillas

Ebola is a virus that causes a severe haemorrhagic disease that is infectious and usually fatal. It can also infect gorillas (their DNA is 98.3% similar to ours). in 2013, scientists estimated a third of wild gorillas were killed by Ebola. Due to tourism and contact through farms, other human diseases pose a risk to gorillas (TB, respiratory diseases and scabies). Covid-19 may also pose a threat to gorillas too.

Diet

Gorillas are herbivores. Adults can eat up to 18kg per day. They like to feed on celery, thistles, wood and roots. Mountain gorillas have ben known to eat termites. Gorillas rarely need to drink water as they get enough from the vegetation they eat and from morning dew.

Interesting facts

Mountain gorillas have shorter arms then the Eastern lowland gorilla.

Group

Led by the dominant silverback male, troops can include up to 40 individuals but most troops number 5-10. Gorillas are very social animals. Most males leave the troop when they are 11 years old and either join a group of other young males or remain solitary.

Breeding & lifespan

The gestation period in 8.5 months. Baby gorillas develop twice as fast as human babies. A female only reproduces every 4-6 years and will have 3 or 4 offspring in her lifetime. Gorillas are thought to live for 40-50 years in the wild.

Predators & threats

While leopards occasionally prey on gorillas, humans are the main predator. Hunting of gorillas for bushmeat, deforestation, human encroachment on their habitat had negatively impacted their numbers. Over a decade of political instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo has damaged gorilla habitats and hampered conservation efforts.