What do gorillas eat?
Gorillas because the hair on their backs starts to become gray or silver as they age, the mature male mountain gorillas are known as “silverbacks”.
The largest of the great apes, gorillas are regarded as some of the world’s smartest animals. There are two species of gorillas, and they both came from Sub-Saharan Africa. The more common western gorilla inhabits tropical forests in nations like Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the Republic of Congo.
Conversely, the eastern gorilla is a more endangered species that can only be found in the DRC’s lowland forests as well as the mountains of Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC. The IUCN lists both species as Critically Endangered because of habitat loss and hunting.
Suggested Safari Itineraries
Mountain Gorilla Diet – What do gorillas eat?
The principal food source for mountain gorillas is flora, which includes berries, seeds, fruits, stems, leaves, roots, and herbs that change with the season. When they come upon little insects like termites, ants, and larvae, they occasionally might add them to their diet.
Mountain Gorilla Food intake
An adult mountain gorilla consumes about 18 kg of food every day. Because they are afraid of water, mountain gorillas do not drink it on its own. Fortunately, the luscious foliage they eat provides them with the water they need to survive.
Methods of Collecting Food
Gorillas have been seen tearing up plants with their amazing physical strength. A mature male gorilla, for example, may split a banana tree in half to get at the soft pith within.
Gorillas have a discriminating palate when it comes to what they eat; they frequently only eat the leaves, pith, stems, or roots of plants. They use their lips and their hands to pick through the leaves and take out the pieces they want to eat.
Gorillas are mindful not to deplete an area of its food source, instead managing the vegetation in a way that allows for rapid regeneration.
There have been reports of gorillas using the hair on the back of their hands to soak up water and then drinking it.
Do Mountain Gorillas Eat Meat?
Mountain gorillas are inclined to utilize various food sources available in their environment, such as ants and other invertebrates. Gorillas are herbivores and do not include meat in their diet.
Suggested Safari Itineraries
11 Days
Private
11 days Uganda Premium Gorilla, Wildlife & River Nile Adventure
from
$ 2900
per personWhat do Baby Gorillas Eat?
Newly born gorillas weigh approximately 4.5 pounds when they are born, but they possess remarkable strength. Gorilla babies have the ability to hold onto their mothers’ bodies and will remain close to them for a number of years. As they grow, baby gorillas depend almost entirely on their mothers’ milk.
Most gorillas will breastfeed for 2.5 to 3 years before transitioning to solid food. At that point, they may begin to eat like adult gorillas. However, some young gorillas may also consume a small number of ants or other insects.
Best Africa Gorilla Safaris
Having an interest in the dietary habits of gorillas indicates a genuine concern for their well-being. Supporting the preservation of mountain gorillas by participating in environmentally friendly wildlife activities like Gorilla Trekking Safaris is a noble endeavor.
Threats gorillas face
The four-gorilla subspecies are under threat from poaching, diseases like Ebola, and habitat destruction, with the majority of gorillas residing in areas that are not protected. WWF is actively involved in establishing new gorilla sanctuaries, including one in Congo.
Where to find gorillas
While gorilla tracking is the main attraction of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, there are many more national parks where you can see primates and other animals. There are other attractions in the forest than gorillas.
In conclusion, Lowland gorillas and mountain gorillas, whether they are known for being vegetarians or herbivores, primarily consume plant-based foods such as tree flowers, fruits, roots, stems, shrubs, and leaves in their natural habitats. Only a small portion, around 2%, of their diet consists of insects like ants, termites, and caterpillars for protein intake. Due to their large consumption of plant-based foods, it is challenging to maintain them in captivity.
Friendly Gorillas Editor
Uganda gorilla trekking specialists focusing on delivering unforgettable gorilla experiences at unbeatable prices.
All Posts
Want to plan a memorable Gorilla adventure?
Chat with us, our team is always here to help!
You may also like …
Got any questions
about traveling to Uganda?
Get in touch.
