The Mountain gorilla is one of the largest primates in the World

Introduction

The name "gorilla" was derived from an ancient account by a Carthaginian explorer who sailed along the west coast of Africa nearly 2,500 years ago. Local people shared their name for the great ape with him - the rough translation of which meant "hairy person".

The Mountain gorilla is one of the largest primates in the World with the male mountain gorilla, known as a Silver-back, often growing to twice the size of a female mountain gorilla. The Mountain gorilla has longer fur covering its body when compared to other gorilla species, allowing them to be able to withstand both hot and cold temperatures.

The Mountain Gorilla in The Volcanoes National park in Rwanda

Distribution

The mountain gorilla is one of the two subspecies of the eastern gorilla. They are two populations; one is found in The Volcanic Mountains of Central Africa, within three National parks: Mgahinga, in South-West of Uganda; Volcanoes in North-West Rwanda; and Virunga in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

Classification

The Mountain gorilla belongs to the Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Mammalia, Order Primates, Family Hominidae, Genus Gorilla, and Binomial name: Gorilla Berengei Berengei.

Historically humans and their extinct ancestors were classified in the Family Hominidae while all great apes (chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans) were classified in the Family Pongidae. However, bio-molecular and genetic research along with recent fossil evidence have identified new similarities between species, leading to the reclassification of chimpanzees and gorillas into the Family Hominidae. The gorillas, are closely linked to Human by DNA, gorillas are one of the four species of great apes that are the closet living relatives of humans; like three others; Chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutans,

In 2001 mitochondrial DNA research and morphological variances have led to the scientific reclassification of gorillas. Under the new classification gorillas are divided into two species, the eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei) and the western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla). It is thought that the two species diverged from one another about 2 million years ago and both have two subspecies.

The eastern gorilla's two subspecies are the eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri) and the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei).

Due to the small size of mountain gorilla populations and available samples for testing, it is difficult to determine whether the two populations are physically and genetically distinct enough to be considered two separate subspecies. The western gorilla's two subspecies are the western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and the Cross River gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli).

Unique Features of the Mountain Gorilla

The Mountain gorilla is diurnal and spends most of its waking life eating. Is highly sociable mammal and lives in groups of between 5 and 30 individuals, which includes mix of both male and female mountain gorillas. The alpha male mountain gorilla tends to rule for around 5 years, and as these mountain gorillas are non territorial.

The Mountain Gorilla live in groups of 5 to 30 individuals because they are very sociable

Mountain Gorilla is Omnivore and its favourite food is leaves, seed and Herbs size: 1.5-1.8m, Weight: 204-227 kg, Top speed: 40km/h, Life Span: 35-50 years, Lifestyle: Social. Habitat: Tropical Forest and Jungles in Mountainous regions. Average litter size: 1 baby. Predators: Human, Leopard. Special: Sociable habits and agile hands and feet.

The scientific order Primates encompasses about 233 living species classified in 13 scientific families. Most primates live in tropical forests and vary greatly in size. The smallest primate member is the pygmy mouse lemur weighing around 31 g, and the largest among the primate is Gorilla weighing up to 220 kg.

Feeding behaviour

The Mountain gorillas have 32 teeth, the same in number as humans, they have large strong teeth adapted for coarse vegetation they consume, adult male develop big, sharp canines as they mature. They eat variety of plants; favorites include wild celery, bamboo, thistles, stinging nettles, bed-straw and certain fruits. These plants seem to provide sufficient moisture so that gorillas do not need water.

Reproduction

The Mountain gorilla is highly social, and lives in relatively stable, cohesive groups held together by long-term bonds between adult males and Females. Relationships among females are relatively weak. These groups are non-territorial; the silver-back generally defends the group rather than this territory for at least 5 years.  

The Mountain gorilla mating is throughout the year, the gestation period is 8.5 months with litter size of 1 baby, Gorilla infants are helpless at birth and weigh about 3-4 Ibs. The Gorilla males are ready to mate when they are approximately 15 years of age, for females it is about 8 years of age. Due to the age maturity and how much time they give to their offspring, each female may only have 3 to 4 of them in their lifetime.

  

Conclusion

American Zoologist Dian Fossey, the founder of Karisoke Research Center,  an International Center for the study of Gorilla in Rwanda since 1967

The Mountain gorilla is a critically endangered species, due to illegal activities such as poaching and Habitat loss. All these factors contributed in one way or another in endangering the population of mountain gorilla. However recent data shows that Mountain gorillas are experiencing a population increase this is due to intensive conservation efforts and successful community engagement in conservation process.

The views expressed are those of the author and not necessary of the Scientific studies