mountain gorilla
Quick Summary
The mountain gorilla is a subspecies of gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) that lives in the tropical forests of equatorial Africa, specifically in the montane rainforests and bamboo forests north and east of Lake Kivu. Gorillas are the largest of the apes and are closely related to humans, sharing a common ancestor about 10 million years ago.12
Mountain gorillas are robust primates with black skin and hair, thick chests, and protruding abdomens. Adult males, known as silverbacks, are larger than females and develop a distinctive saddle of gray or silver hairs on their lower back. They are diurnal and primarily terrestrial, often using a knuckle-walking gait.1
These gorillas live in stable family groups led by one or more silverback males. Their diet is vegetarian, consisting mainly of leaves, stalks, and shoots. Mountain gorillas are critically endangered, with populations declining due to habitat loss and human activities. Ecotourism has, however, contributed to their conservation.1
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