What Is the Mountain Gorilla?

The mountain gorilla, scientifically named Gorilla beringei beringei, is an endangered species of gorilla that is native to mountainous regions of Africa. First identified by scientists in the early 1900s, the mountain gorilla inhabits established national parks within Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It averages more than 400 pounds (181 kg) and can reach a height of 6 feet (1.8 m) at adulthood.

In the wild, the mountain gorilla lives on a diet that consists mainly of vegetation. Its food source includes many succulent plants, from which it receives most of its water intake. Foods such as tree roots, fruits and tree bark are plentiful in their native habitat.

Led by a dominant adult male, known as a silverback, the mountain gorilla's community is referred to as a troop. Troops will have about 25 members, including males, females and their offspring. The silverback is responsible for leading the troop to food sources and safe nesting areas.

Like humans, mountain gorillas give birth after a gestation of about nine months. Baby mountain gorillas weigh about 4 pounds (1.8 kg) at birth and cling to their mothers for several months. After the age of about four months, the young ride on the backs of their mother for another two to three years.

Mountain gorillas are part of a group known as “the great apes.” This exclusive group of mammals, which also includes the orangutan, chimpanzee and bonobo, varies in appearance but has many characteristics in common. Unlike monkeys, apes lack tails, and they are more intelligent than monkeys. Apes are larger in size, and the ape’s brain is larger and more developed than a monkey’s.

There were fewer than 1,000 mountain gorillas estimated to exist as of 2011, making this species one of the most endangered types of gorillas in the wild. Poaching is one of the lead causes of the mountain gorilla’s decline. Adult females are killed to capture their babies for selling on the black market. The mountain gorilla’s habitat also has been under threat from agriculture, logging and the increase in human population.

Mountain gorillas were identified by scientists as a subspecies after German army captain Robert von Beringe shot and recovered a specimen in 1902 in the volcanic region of Rwanda. The specimen was sent to a Berlin museum where it was confirmed to be different from the eastern lowland gorilla, or Grauer's gorilla. The mountain gorilla was given the scientific name Gorilla beringei beringei in honor of Robert von Beringe.

Mountain gorillas are a subspecies of the eastern gorilla, known for their thick fur which helps them survive in colder mountain climates. They are found in two isolated populations: one in the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central Africa and the other in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. According to the World Wildlife Fund, there are only about 1,063 mountain gorillas left in the wild.

Mountain gorillas have longer and thicker fur compared to other gorilla species, an adaptation to their habitat's colder temperatures. They are also slightly larger and have a more pronounced bony crest on their skulls, which supports strong jaw muscles. Unlike their lowland cousins, mountain gorillas live at higher altitudes, between 2,200 and 4,300 meters above sea level.

Mountain gorillas are primarily herbivorous, consuming a variety of plants, including leaves, stems, roots, and fruit. They can eat up to 34 kilograms of vegetation each day, foraging for food while traveling through their home ranges. Their diet is supplemented occasionally with small insects, accounting for a tiny portion of their overall intake.

Mountain gorillas live in groups led by a dominant silverback, an adult male with distinctive silver coloring on his back. These groups typically consist of several females, their offspring, and sometimes subordinate males. The silverback makes decisions for the group, protects them from threats, and mediates conflicts. Group sizes can range from a few individuals to over 30 members.

Mountain gorillas are critically endangered due to a range of human-induced threats. Habitat loss from agriculture and human settlement, poaching, disease, and civil unrest in their home regions are significant challenges. Conservation efforts have helped stabilize some populations, but the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) emphasizes that continued protection is crucial for their survival.

Conservation efforts, including anti-poaching patrols, veterinary interventions, and community conservation projects, have been pivotal in the slight recovery of mountain gorilla populations. Ecotourism also provides vital funding for conservation and creates economic incentives for local communities to protect gorillas. Organizations like the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund have been instrumental in these efforts, contributing to the species' shift from 'critically endangered' to 'endangered' status.