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On average, gorillas eat 18 kilos of vegetation a day, although some males can even reach 30 kilograms. We offer you a handful of fun facts about these fascinating animals.

 

Cría de gorila

 

Gorillas are primates from the forests of Africa. On the one hand is the eastern or mountain gorilla, which lives in the most mountainous areas of central Africa (Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo). And, on the other hand, there is the western or lowland gorilla that lives in the flat forests of central and western Africa (Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and the Central African Republic among others). In addition, although both are very similar, they present some differences.

Mountain gorillas have a long coat that insulates them from temperatures, while lowland gorillas have shorter and softer hair. They also differ in size. The lowland gorilla is approximately 1.7 meters tall when on two legs. The mountain gorilla has the same height but weighs between 130 and 220 kilos, making it somewhat larger.

Gorillas are primarily herbivorous primates, feeding mostly on grasses, branches, fruits, tree bark, berries, and shoots. However, when they run out of food they can eat small insects such as ants, termites, snails or caterpillars. On average, gorillas eat 18 kilos of vegetation a day, although some males can even reach 30 kilograms.

Another peculiarity about gorillas is that they almost never drink water directly, since they get most of the liquid from consuming plants.

 

gorila con crías

 

They are polygamous
Gorillas are polygamous, as the dominant male usually has several females. Although they co[CENSORED]te frequently, their reproduction is complicated since the females are only fertile two days a month.

 

gorila con bebé

 

They live in a group
Groups of gorillas are called troops or bands. A gorilla gang can have up to 50 members, although sometimes a gang consists of as few as two members. Additionally, the troops are led by a dominant male, called a silverback, who can be identified by a strip of gray hair on the back.

 

gorila muy agresivo

 

They can be aggressive
If the dominant male is threatened by a younger one, he may hit his chest, break tree branches or show his teeth.

 

gorila en su hábitat

 

Leader change
When the dominant male dies, either from disease, hunting, or fighting, the group splits up to find another guide to replace him.

 

Gorila junto a plantas

 

They can't swim
Gorillas are animals that cannot swim. This is the reason why both species have not gotten to mix with each other, since the Congo River constitutes a natural barrier.

 

gorila comiendo plantas

 

They are in danger of extinction
According to WWF, the total po[CENSORED]tion of mountain gorillas exceeds 1,000, although they are threatened by poaching, destruction of forests, climate change, infrastructure development and the risk of contagious diseases.

 

gorila alimentándose

 

They consume more than 100 different fruits
Gorillas consume up to 104 different types of plants and fruits. Gorilla's favorite fruits in the wild are from the genera Dialium, Tetrapleura, and Landolphia.

 

cría de gorila en brazos de su madre

 

Build nests
Gorilla beds are called nests. Young gorillas usually make their nests in trees, while older gorillas make their nests on the ground.

 

gorila trepando en una rama

 

His arms are longer than his legs
Gorillas' arms are longer than their legs. This allows them to walk on all four limbs while remaining somewhat upright.

 

gorila en su territorio

 

They are very smart
These primates are very intelligent. They can use simple tools and even learn sign language.

 

 

 

 

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