Facts About Gorillas

Mountain gorillas are human-like creatures said to be sharing 98% of their DNA with Human beings. The remaining mountain gorillas are only found in the high mountain of Volcanoes shared between Rwanda, Uganda and the democratic Republic of Congo. Thousands of tourists visit this region in search of these majestic creatures. You may ask yourself why is gorilla trekking considered special. With this article we are bringing to your attention Facts About Mountain Gorillas.

Around 1,063 exist in the wild. The gorillas are a threatened space and with worry of extinctions, in that a number of factors threaten their lives including parching, destruction of their environment, climate change and poor health conditions. The latest census (comes every five years) has shown that around 1,063 are existing.

They only remained in Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC. Another fact about gorillas is that the remaining are only found in the great lakes region. They live in bamboo forest in the high mountain of Virunga Volcanoes extended on the border between three countries namely Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

We share around 98% of our DNA with gorillas. An important fact about gorillas is that they are human-like creatures with similar shape, behavior and similar living conditions.  Researchers have found out that these primates share almost 98% of their DNA with human beings.

They are one of the biggest, most powerful living primates. An average silverback gorilla can weigh up to 180kg and measure 170cm tall on all fours. Female mountain gorillas, unlike males, weigh up to 90kg, and measure up to 150cm.

They can eat all day long. Another one of the Facts About Mountain Gorillas is that they are herbivores and may spend the whole day eating. They spend almost a quarter of the day eating. They mostly eat bamboo leaves, shoots and stems.

Gorillas sleep at night. During the night a gorilla family will gather in one nest on the ground or in the trees for an overnight. Baby gorillas will share a nest with their mothers for comfort.

Gorillas have their own way of communication. It is said that gorillas have 16 types of call. These include short barks, beating chests, stiff legs or using some vocalization like roars and hoots. They have 16 different types of calls. this includes short barks when they’re mildly alarmed or curious.

Gorillas are organized in families of around 10 individuals, with a male as head of the family and several females and children. At older ages males and females will leave the birth group and join other groups to prevent form inbreeding.

Gorillas can live up to 40 years of age ranging between infants until they reach three and half years old, children until 8 years old as well as adults from 8 years. Males between 8-12 years are called blackbacks. At the age of 12 years old males develop a silver hair over their back and hips which give them a nickname “silver back”.

Last but not least, the facts about gorillas is that they are under threat. The main threat to gorillas is human activities. The degradation of their natural habitat and environment in benefit for agricultural activities and natural resources extraction is the principal threat for them. Poaching activities are also practiced in some parts. As the forest is decreasing, human contacts are at risk of transmitting illnesses. Visiting them contributes to the gorilla’s protection.

As tourists visit and pay gorilla trekking fee, it will be used in the protection efforts, finance the medication and research in their lives as well as other social welfare projects to compensate people around the volcanoes who are called not to threaten gorillas with farming and exploiting the volcanoes park.

Do you wish to contribute to this noble cause of protecting our gorilla brothers and sisters, plan a trip to see their natural bedding? Gorilla trekking may happen anytime of the year and may be conducted either in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic republic of Rwanda. To know more about Facts About Mountain Gorillas and to plan your gorilla trekking tour to Rwanda, reach out to Unique Rwanda Vacations Experts to help you design a suitable package that suits your interest, budget and time. Our travel consultants will help you book the trekking permits, accommodation and take care of the ground logistics while you are enjoying your lifetime adventure.