Trivia TOP 5 FACTS ABOUT MOUNTAIN GORILLAS

[Beatriz9]

1. AROUND 1,063 EXIST IN THE WILD​

There are two gorilla species in the world: the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla. The mountain gorilla is a subspecies of the eastern gorilla.

Mountain gorillas are endangered - there are an estimated 1,063 in the wild according to the latest census results (which come out every 5-10 years).

2. THEY LIVE IN TWO ISOLATED GROUPS​

Mountain gorillas live in east-central Africa in just two isolated groups – one in the Virunga Volcanoes (a region spanning 3 national parks in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)) and one in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, which connects to Sarambwe Nature Reserve, DRC.

They’re found in high altitude montane and bamboo forests, which are surrounded by agriculture and settlements.

3. WE SHARE AROUND 98% OF OUR DNA WITH GORILLAS​

This means that exposure to human illnesses – even a cold - can have potentially detrimental impacts on gorillas as they are so genetically similar to us, but they haven't developed the necessary immunities.

4. THEY’RE ONE OF THE BIGGEST, MOST POWERFUL LIVING PRIMATES​

An average silverback gorilla can weigh up to 180kg (that’s almost 30 stone), and measure 170cm (over 5’5”) tall on all fours. In contrast, female mountain gorillas weigh 90kg, and measure up to 150cm (4’9”).

5. THEY CAN EAT ALL DAY LONG​

Mountain gorillas spend about a quarter of their day eating, mainly plants. Around 85% of their diet is made up of leaves, shoots and stems, but gorillas can also eat larvae, snails, ants, and even roots, barks and rotting wood (a good source of sodium/salt).

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