Physical Characteristics of Mountain Gorillas

Their  Weight, Height, and Size

Eastern gorillas and western gorillas are the two species of gorillas. Mountain gorillas are a subspecies of eastern gorillas that are located in Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda.

Half of the global mountain gorilla population resides in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Size, Height, and Weight of Mountain Gorillas

Similar to Bonobos and Chimpanzees, gorillas share 98% of their DNA with humans.

They are found in the tropical and subtropical rain forests of the Virunga range region.

Knuckle-walking is the primary mode of locomotion for gorillas, although they may occasionally walk bipedally in defensive situations or while holding sustenance.

In the same way that humans have distinctive thumbprints, gorillas have distinctive nose impressions.

The juvenile ones sleep with their mothers until they are approximately four years old, and they construct new nests on a daily basis.

These homes are constructed from tree branches and leaves.

Dimensions of Mountain Gorillas

Gorillas are the largest living primates in the planet. Baby mountain gorillas are born with a vulnerability similar to that of human infants. They can measure between 3 and 4 kilograms and rely on their mother’s breast milk to survive until the age of 4 years.

The height of mountain gorillas fluctuates as they mature.

Mountain gorillas are herbivorous animals that consume leaves, fruits, bark, bamboo stalks, stems, and pith.

Sometimes, they augment their diet with insects, termites, and ants.

Termites are collected in cavities by mountain gorillas using sticks, and fruits comprise 25% of their diet.

The weight of a mountain gorilla

The muscular bodies of gorillas are well-formed and they weigh a significant amount.

Male mature mountain gorillas are heavier than their female counterparts.

The weight of an adult male gorilla ranges from 136 kilograms to 196 kilograms, while that of a female gorilla ranges from 68 kilograms to 113 kilograms.

A gorilla that was slain in Ambam, Cameroon, was the heaviest ever recorded at 267 kilograms and 1.83 meters in height.

In captivity, Western gorillas can weigh as much as 310 kilograms, while mountain gorillas are unlikely to survive in sanctuaries.

Elevation of Mountain Gorillas

The average height of a mountain gorilla is 1.7 meters.

The height of adult male gorillas ranges from 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 9 inches, while females are shorter than male gorillas, with a height of 5 feet.

Mountain gorillas are capable of standing on their rear legs, in addition to moving on four legs.

They are capable of traversing a distance of up to 20 feet on two legs.

The tallest gorilla ever recorded stood at a height of 1.95 meters, had a wide chest of 1.98 meters, and a limb span of 2.7 meters. It weighed 219 kilograms.

In 1938, this gorilla was fatally shot in Alimbogo, which is located to the north of the Kivu region.

Habituation Experiences and Gorilla Trekking

Tourists may visit Virunga National Park in Congo, Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda to acquire additional information regarding the size, weight, and height of mountain gorillas.

During prime seasons, gorilla permits are in high demand and must be reserved in advance, typically three months prior to the trekking date.

Mountain gorillas will not be accessible to tourists who are under the age of 15 and are unwell.

It is imperative to adhere to the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking while in the presence of gorillas, and you will be granted an hour of observation after locating a gorilla family.

Gorilla habituation is the process by which mountain gorillas become accustomed to the presence of humans.

This activity is exclusively conducted in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and entails the participation of researchers and gorillas in the habituation process.

Gorilla habituation is more advantageous than traditional gorilla trekking, as it involves spending four hours with the gorillas, as opposed to the shorter one-hour trek.