The Unique Life Of A Mountain Gorilla

A mountain gorilla which is scientifically called “gorilla beringei beringei” is one of the exclusive rare apes that exist in the world. It is a rare specie that is only found in east Africa and some few in central Africa. These gentle brown eyed gorillas are found in Virunga volcanoes mountains that are shared between Rwanda and Democratic Rep of Congo. In this region, the mountain gorillas are shared and it is thought to be holding the smallest group. The other group is found in Uganda in the Mt. Mgahinga ranges and Bwindi impenetrable forest in Uganda. Uganda is believed to be the habitat to the biggest group of the gorillas. In 2010, the population of all the Mountain gorillas in entire world was estimated to be 790 individuals.

These gentle eyed mountain gorillas live entirely in the albertine rift mountain cloud forest and Virunga volcanoes. These are at an altitude between 2200mm and 4300mm above sea level. Because of the cold environment in which they live, mountain gorillas have fur which is longer and thicker than that of the other gorilla species. They live in families and each is led by one dominant male which is called a silver back. Usually the elderly males develop the siverly hair on the back.

On the side of nutrition, mountain gorillas are mainly herbivores. They feed on green leaves, shoots, stems, barks of plant, flowers and fruits from plants. There families may last in a location as long as food exists and the existence of the dominant male.
Other apes also live with the gorillas like the amazing golden monkeys that are mainly seen in the Virunga volcanoes and a few in Mgahinga areas, pottos monkeys, baboons, black and white colobus monkeys and a few other albertine wild animals that you may come across on during gorilla tracking.