![]() ![]() In fact they would to a certain extent mate with less subordinate males as research has proven. Interestingly a number of females leave their father’s group to prevent inbreeding, while those that don’t leave the group try as much as possible to avoid mating with their father. Between the age of 10 and 12, the female gorillas attain sexual maturity with the ovulation cycle beginning earlier at about six (6) years, however, the female stays infertile until 10 years when they are eventually mature. There are a number of factors that determine the mating habits of gorillas however, the best way to understanding this is by first comprehending the reproductive cycle of these forest giants. When do Gorillas become Sexually Mature / Reproductive? the western and the eastern gorillas are both known to mate while facing the same side however, instances of then doing it while facing each other have also been observed especially among the mountain gorillas. ![]() Mating can happen all year around a process that is normally initiated by the females irrespective of whether they are in estrus or not. Breeding in GorillasĪccording to the gorilla breeding customs, the females in a gorilla group are all breaded by the dominant male gorilla known as the silverback. External confrontations by lone males or other groups may occur and these are generally very violent however with the help of other mature male gorillas in the group, the silverback is able to defend his family. You can visit one gorilla family at a time. This explains why you cannot see all the gorillas in one park during your gorilla trekking experience. Interactions among various gorilla groups are extremely rare despite the fact that these have been recorded among the western lowland subspecies. They normally live in groups of about thirty (30) individuals, and it is worth mentioning that gorilla families are generally peaceful with just a few internal conflicts. For more information about the types of Gorillas, you can check out article on Types of Gorillas in the world Gorilla Groups and Family hierarchyĪ typical gorilla group comprises of different family members that include infants, juveniles, adult males and females and then a dominant male who leads and guides the family/ group on what to do and where to go. There are two main species of the Gorilla (the Eastern gorilla and the Western gorilla) and each of these is comprised of two subspecies that is to say: the mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas that make up the eastern gorillas, and then the cross river gorilla and the western lowland gorilla that make up the western gorilla. These largely herbivorous forest giants share approximately 98% of their DNA with man making them the closest living relative humans. ![]() Today the largest living ape in the world is the Gorilla and these live within the verdant forests of Central as well as Eastern Africa. The Silverback Gorilla is the most endangered species of Gorilla.How do Gorillas Mate, Courtship and Reproduce Gorillas are also killed by poachers and sometimes get caught in poacher’s snares meant for other animals. ![]() Silverback gorillas were not even known to exist until 1902.Today, their habitat is being destroyed when people use the land for farming and the trees for fuel. They spend most of their day foraging for food and eating bamboo and leafy plants Gorillas are herbivores, and eat only plants. Silverback gorillas weigh approximately 350 pounds- about twice the weight of normal adult man. Silverback Gorillas are around six feet tall – about the height of an adult male – while females are around five feet tall. Each gorilla family has a silverback as leader who scares away other animals by standing erect on its hind legs, tearing up and throwing plants, drumming on the chest with its hands or fists, stamping its feet, striking the ground with its palms and galloping in a mock attack on all fours! Mountain gorillas have a stocky build, with a broad chest, long, muscular arms and wide feet and hands. Adult male mountain gorillas are called Silverbacks because of the silver saddle of hair on their backs. Silverback gorillas have long black hair and their thick, shaggy coats help to keep them warm in cold climates. Because gorillas are nomadic, they build new nests each day at dusk, constructing them out of bent branches in a tree or of grasses on the ground. Silverback gorillas continually wander through their home ranges of 10 to 15 square miles, feeding and resting throughout the day. They are also referred to as mountain gorillas. Silverback gorillas live high in the mountains in two protected parks in Africa. ![]()
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