Mountain Gorilla Diet: How does a mountain gorilla get its food?
Mountain gorillas are generally terrestrial animals that thrive in the rain-forests of East and Central Africa, specifically in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This is the only region in the world where they are found.
They are very powerful and have a commanding presence. As their name suggests, they live in the mountainous areas of the Virunga region.
The area is known as Virunga because of the volcanoes that surround it, and the fertile soils of the volcanoes allow for the proper growth of trees and vegetation on which mountain gorillas feed and breed.
Gorillas consume a lot of succulent leaves and fruits, as well as plants with high amounts of morning dew.
They sometimes consume flowers that are compacted with high amounts of water.
They also feed on roots and stems of trees, which provide necessary water for their bodies since they feed on them most of the day.
Additionally, they consume small insects such as ants and worms, as well as seeds which are important for digestion.
They have a strong and straight alimentary canal that provides the required room for the digestion of over 100 plant species that are consumed by gorillas.
Therefore, it is not common to see gorillas looking for a water source to drink.
Mountain gorillas can eat up to 142 plant species, with 86% consisting of shoots, stems, and leaves commonly found in their natural habitat.
Fruits make up 2% of their diet, flowers 3%, and roots 7%. Mountain gorillas have long and strong canines that enable them to chew vegetation, including bamboo.
They spend almost a full day feeding; male gorillas can consume up to 30 kilograms of vegetation in a day, while females can eat up to 18 kilograms.
They start foraging at 6 am, rest during midday, and then forage again in the afternoon.
In the late evening, around 6 pm, mountain gorillas make their nests where they sleep until morning.
They have a strong and efficient digestive system allowing them to consume large quantities of vegetation.
In conclusion, mountain gorillas are herbivores that thrive in the rain-forests of East and Central Africa.
They feed on a diverse range of plants, including leaves, stems, shoots, fruits, flowers, and roots.
Their diet consists of over 100 plant species, with a significant portion being shoots, stems, and leaves.
You can see mountain gorillas feeding in their natural habitat by embarking on a journey to Africa, to the mountain gorilla countries of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. For budget-conscious travelers, here’s the cheapest way to see gorillas.
