Lifespan of Gorillas: How long do gorillas live
Lifespan of Gorillas: How long do gorillas live : Gorillas are the worlds largest living primates, they can be only found in Virunga national park in Congo, mount Mgahinga national park and Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in Uganda then Volcanoes national park in Rwanda. Mountain gorillas are mans closest relatives sharing a DNA of about 98%, they often exhibit human behaviors like showing sadness, laughing and so much more. Gorillas often move in groups that can even number up to 40 individuals always dominated by a Silverback.
Adult male gorillas can weigh up to 200 kilograms and can reach about 6 feet when standing g on two legs, Female Mountain gorillas normally give birth in 4-6 years with gestation period of about 8 and half months. Female gorillas normally reach sexual maturity at the age of 10 years old while the males become active at the age of 15 years. After giving birth a female gorilla can stop ovulating for several years, female mountain gorillas can birth about 2-6 offspring’s in a life time and they approach makes to initiate mating.
Gorillas often show distinct signs of age at 35 years old, the group members always have to adjust to the old mountain gorillas as they cannot feed and travel like other members in the group. The old mountain gorillas often suffer from arthritis damaging the bones in their arms and legs.
Sometimes when a Silverback is old and the group leadership is taken over, they retreat to their own selves and often die shortly. Old mountain gorillas can also loose teeth. The old age at which mountain gorillas can live is not exact as many gorillas have died in different old ages. The oldest mountain gorillas lived in a zoo in Colombia/Ohio but died at the age of 60 in the year 2016. The old mountain gain gorillas often develop white fur on their backs hence the reason they are called silverbacks.
A muture male gorilla can father about 10-20 kids from different female gorillas, gorillas are generally peaceful but can interact in fights when a silverback wants to leave his own family or when a solitary silverback wants to grab some females in a group.
Mountain gorillas spend most of their day eating fruits, bamboo shoot, leaves, stems and so much more they can supplement their diet with insects and small animals. .mountain gorillas cannot survive outside their natural habitats.
To trek mountain gorillas, tourists must obtain permits in advance and gorilla permit cost $1500 in Rwanda, $600 in Uganda and $400 in Congo. Gorilla permits must always be booked in advance to avoid disappointments especially in the peak season. Unlike gorilla trekking that takes one hour, tourists can also go for gorilla habituation experience that only takes place in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in Uganda. This includes joining researchers and scientists in conservation of gorillas.
