How Big And Strong Is A Gorilla : Mountain gorillas are listed as endangered species on the ICUN red list where the cross river gorillas and the eastern lowland gorillas being listed as critically endangered species. Mountain gorillas are big primates in the world and live in the tropical rain forests as well as montane forests in the west, east and central Africa. These can only be trekked in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda, Virunga national park in Congo and volcanoes national park in Rwanda.
In the 19th century, the population of mountain gorillas was alarming and the mountain gorillas were almost vanishing. The existence of the mountain gorillas was being threatened by a number of factors such as; poaching, habitat loss due to deforestation and encroachment on wetlands and forests among others. It’s until the late 1980s that wildlife conservationists and primatologists such as Dian Fossey started research and conservation projects on gorillas in the east and central Africa. Due to her conservation efforts with her team at Karisoke Research institute within the volcanoes national park in Rwanda, the mountain gorillas started increasing gradually. Recently the population of the mountain gorillas is 1000 individuals.
HOW BIG AND STRONG IS A GORILLA
Mountain gorillas and silverbacks in particular are much stronger than any human. These species are strong primates but rarely show their strength as they are known to be gentle and peaceful creatures. They would spend their evening just lazing around rather than being a problem and causing chaos. The mountain gorillas are capable of causing damage and harm to those that are disturbing their peace mostly the poachers. Most of the gorilla families found within the four national parks are fully habituated and are known not to cause harm to tourists unless they are provoked and feel threatened such as when they use a flash photography. Therefore tourists are advised to follow the rules and regulations for a safe gorilla trekking safari within Africa.
The mountain gorillas are stronger than me and you combined but mostly the silverbacks are stronger than 20 adult humans combined as they can lift up to 815kgs whereas a well-trained man can only lift up to 400 kgs. Therefore any adult gorilla can lift up to 500 kilograms with a body size of 200kgs.
A bite from the mountain gorilla will make you run for your life. The gorillas have large canines which give bites that are incomparable to any carnivores like crocodiles and lions. A bite from the gorilla covers 1,300 pounds per square inch which is big compared to lions which have 650 pounds per square inch. Mountain gorillas move with their four most often that is their arms are hard and thus very strong with grips that can tear just about any plantation down.
The mountain gorillas get their strength from their body build, the food and amount of it they consume is very much important. Mountain gorillas are mainly herbivorous animals and feed on plant stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and bamboo shoots. Mountain gorillas can eat half of their body weight which is about 50 pounds of leafy foods per day. Their diet also consists of insects, snails and ants which makes them partially omnivorous mammals. Mountain gorillas can consume up to 34 kilograms of food per day thus contributing to their general health and physical conditions.
Gorillas too just like humans share a 98% DNA thus have emotions. With about 25 different vocalizations, mountain gorillas have voicings for when in danger or excited. When they are attacked or threatened, they will scream or bellow. Gorillas do chuckle when they find someone amusing, or even giggle, chest thumping shows power and it is a reminder of sorts to its opponents that he’s stronger and can conquer.
Therefore gorillas are undeniably strong apes but they are the most adorable creatures you would definitely enjoy watching in the wild and can be visited on a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo all throughout the year.