The word gorilla stems from the Greek word “gorilla” which refers to “a tribe of hairy women or hairy person” It was found in a Greek translation dated 400BC of a report of the Carthagian explorer Hanno. The gorilla is the largest Ape in the world, the largest being the eastern low land gorilla followed closely by the mountain gorillas. The difference in gorillas is attributed to evolutionary developments. There are two types of gorillas the Mountain gorillas and the Low land gorillas.
The gorilla is the largest Ape in the world, the largest being the eastern low land gorilla followed closely by the mountain gorillas. The difference in gorillas is attributed to evolutionary developments.
There are two types of gorillas the Mountain gorillas and the Low land gorillas.
FEATURES OF MOUNTAIN GORILLA
Mountain gorillas live at higher altitude and are therefore more exposed to lower temperatures than other gorilla species. To protect against rain and cold, they have thicker and longer hair. The colour of the hair is dark grey/black. All the gorillas, male and female, young and old, will beat their chest with hands when greatly excited.
Gorillas are quadruped AL, in other words, they use arms and legs for walking. Gorillas live mainly on the ground but they can climb trees. The noses of gorillas are unique. Every gorilla has his own nose print. The sweat glands are located in the armpits. Gorillas also have glands in palms and soles.
Unlike the external appearance, the male mountain gorilla has proportionately the smallest penis of all primates, these measures 4cm.
The development of gorillas can be divided into phases as follows: infant, juvenile, sub adult, adult female, black back males, young silverback and silverback.
Mountain gorillas are residents of the mountainous rainforest of the western Rift valley and the Virunga volcanoes.
Gorillas are very social animals they live in groups, which consist of an average of 12 animals. A group is built around one dominate silverback. A group of gorillas do not have a territory but have a core area for feeding which can overlap into another group feeding area.
Gorillas are diurnal animals; active during day and sleeping at night.
Dominate silverback is the absolute leader of the group. Dominate silverback determines the rhythm of the group. It has the exclusive rights on mating, when to eat, where to sleep and rest.
Females will usually change groups a couple of times during their life time. The first time is when they reach sexual maturity, they move to another group to avoid incest.
Although females are subordinate to dominate silverback, they have the choice to switch the silverback especially during the change of power.
Gorillas will prepare for the night by making a nest in the trees or on the ground to sleep.
Mountain gorillas are primarily herbivores but also eat fruits, insects and dead wood.
Gorillas communicate with each other and out siders; the mountain gorillas use both visual communication and vocal communication.
GORILLA TRACKING
Mountain gorillas are the big attractions of Bwindi and Mgahinga. They are very special animals- rare, gentle, like us yet so different. Tracking gorillas is unique experience- it leads you into a strange land to meet unusual creatures on their own terms. Gorilla tracking is an intense experience that can take all day. The guide leads into the gorilla world, explaining the aspects of their ecology and behavior along the way. In this section we provide some basic facts about the gorillas. Gorilla tracking usually means getting up early, before gorilla tracking starts, there is briefing by the head ranger and later by the group guide who will lead you into the jungle.