Mountain gorillas live in social groups of about 5 to 30 individuals. Each group is led by one main silverback who controls the daily activities of the group.
The group includes silverbacks, females, juveniles, infants, and subadults.
The bond between females is not very strong, but females usually have a closer relationship with the males. Silverbacks protect their groups at all costs, even if it means risking their own lives.
Mountain gorillas usually rest in the middle of the day. This rest time helps them bond as a group. During this time, females groom their babies and interact with other young ones in the group.
Mountain gorillas mainly eat leaves, fruits, celery, bamboo shoots, roots, stems, and sometimes ants, termites, and other insects. They do not need to drink water because their food contains enough moisture. They feed on about 100 types of plants.
For reasons not clearly known, mountain gorillas are afraid of chameleons and caterpillars. Even baby gorillas, who love to follow crawling creatures, will avoid chameleons and caterpillars.
When a female mountain gorilla is ready to mate, she will follow a male. The pregnancy lasts about eight and a half months. After giving birth, the female will not mate again for around four years.
Female gorillas breastfeed their babies until they are about three or four years old. They have only one to two fertile days each month, which leads to a low birth rate. A newborn gorilla weighs about 4 pounds.
Mountain gorillas build new nests every day using tree branches and leaves nearby. They spend the first three to four hours of the morning feeding, rest around midday, and then continue feeding in the afternoon.
Mountain gorillas are usually shy and gentle, but they can become aggressive if they feel threatened.
When angry or scared, they may beat their chests, tear and throw plants, and make loud hoots and grunts.
Gorillas are afraid of water and dislike getting wet. They often use logs to cross water bodies to avoid stepping into water.
When it is cold, they sit close together without moving to keep warm.
Young mountain gorillas love to play. They often wrestle, do somersaults, and engage in other games. Sometimes, even silverbacks are seen playing with the females.
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