A group of gorillas is called a band or troop and is sometimes referred to as a family. Gorillas typically move in groups of about 5-30 individuals, mostly compromised of an alpha adult male dominating a group of females, blackback males, juveniles, and infants.
Gorillas mostly live in their families of origin to form their own families in the future.
However, in most cases, infant male gorillas fight the dominant silverback when they grow to take over group leadership or they may leave the group to start their own. Some male gorillas leave the group as lone males and start fighting with different groups to acquire members.
In case a group is made up of only female gorillas and one dominating silverback, and that silverback dies, the females in the group will disperse to join solitary males or other gorilla groups. Sometimes females may remain socializing in the group for a short period of time until a male comes to dominate.
Most blackback gorillas leave their birth troops due to a lack of breeding opportunities.
This is because only the dominating males can breed with all the females in the group, and the first troop a female produces from becomes her permanent family.
Baby mountain gorillas have strong bonds with their offspring until around the age of six years. The first female gorillas to produce in a group have a higher advantage than the female gorillas who join later because a silverback gives high protection to its first offspring.
The dominating silverbacks always aim at expanding their families, which is why gorilla groups often fight when they meet. The silverbacks can feel threatened that the other group will grab his family, leading to fights that can cause gaping injuries and sometimes death.
Mountain gorilla groups can only be trekked in three countries in the world: Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks in Uganda.
Permits for gorilla trekking cost $1500 in Rwanda, $700 in Uganda, and $400 in Congo. Tourists are always advised to acquire gorilla permits at least three months in advance of the gorilla trekking date.
About Gorillas
Gorillas are divided into two species: eastern gorillas and western gorillas. These two species are further subdivided into western lowland gorillas, cross river gorillas, eastern lowland gorillas, and mountain gorillas. They slightly differ in shape and are distributed in western and eastern Africa.
Gorillas are herbivorous animals whose diet comprises fruits, leaves, shoots, roots, stems, bark, and sometimes ants, insects, and termites. They inhabit the tropical rain-forests of Africa, which offer a wide range of vegetation.
Mountain gorillas share about 95-98 percent of their DNA with humans, making them close relatives like chimpanzees and bonobos. They are usually shy and gentle animals but can become very aggressive when disturbed, and this aggression happens after warnings from a gorilla.
