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Social Structure and Behavior Patterns of Mountain Gorillas

Mountain gorillas live in a social structure of groups ranging from 5-30 individuals.

The groups comprise silverbacks, females, juveniles, infants, and subadults, dominated by one main silverback that commands all the group activities daily.

The relationship between females is relatively weak compared to the bond between females and males. The silverbacks do everything possible to protect their groups, even if it leads to death.

Mountain gorillas often rest during midday, which helps in group bonding. During this period, female mountain gorillas groom their young ones and associate with other young group members.

Mountain gorillas primarily feed on leaves, fruits, celery, bamboo shoots, roots, stems, fruits, and sometimes ants, termites, and insects. They don’t drink water because the food they eat provides sufficient moisture. Gorillas consume about 100 species of plants.

For unknown reasons, mountain gorillas are afraid of chameleons and caterpillars. Even baby mountain gorillas, who are fond of following every crawling thing, will give way to a chameleon or caterpillar.

A female mountain gorilla follows a male mountain gorilla for mating. The gestation period is about 8 and a half months, and once the baby is born, the female won’t mate again until four years have passed.

Female mountain gorillas breastfeed their babies up to the age of three or four years. Females have only 1-2 fertile days in a month, resulting in a very low birth rate. A baby mountain gorilla can weigh about 4 pounds at birth.

Mountain gorillas construct new nests daily from tree branches and leaves around them. They typically feed for the first 3-4 hours of the day before the midday rest and later resume foraging in the afternoon hours.

Mountain gorillas are very shy and gentle animals but can become very aggressive and violent when they feel insecure or disturbed.

They usually charge by beating their chests, tearing and throwing vegetation, and making loud hoots and grunts.

Mountain gorillas fear water and dislike rain or getting wet. They often use logs for crossing any water bodies to avoid getting wet.

When temperatures are low, mountain gorillas huddle together in a group and remain motionless for some time to warm themselves up.

Young mountain gorillas are very playful and sometimes engage in games of somersaults, wrestling, and more. Silverbacks are also seen playing with females on some occasions.

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