Mountain Gorilla
Gorilla beringei beringei
A powerful, dense-furred great ape of high montane forests, with silver-backed adult males.
| Scientific name | Gorilla beringei beringei |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Ngagi |
| Conservation status | Endangered |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Primates |
| Family | Hominidae |
| Size | Adult males can stand up to 1.7 m and weigh up to 200 kg; females are distinctly smaller |
How to identify
Dense black fur, longer and thicker than in other gorillas as an adaptation to the cold highlands; adult males have a silvery-grey saddle across the back and hips ("silverback"); massive build with a broad muzzle
Habitat
High-altitude montane rainforest and bamboo forest in East Africa, at roughly 2200-4000 m
Diet
Herbivorous, feeding on leaves, shoots, stems, bamboo and some fruit; adults eat large quantities of vegetation daily
When it is active
Diurnal, alternating slow feeding and rest through the day and building night nests on the ground or in low vegetation
Where it lives
Confined to the Virunga volcanoes on the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo, and to Uganda's Bwindi forest
How to spot it
Can only be seen on permit-based guided treks in Bwindi or the Virungas; keep at least 7 m from the animals and follow the visit-time and health rules
Photography tips
Light under the canopy is dim, so raise the ISO and open the aperture; capture the silverback's posture and mother-infant interactions for impact; do not use flash and avoid staring into the animals' eyes
Threats
Habitat loss, poaching, diseases transmissible from humans and armed conflict in the region
Similar species
Eastern lowland gorilla (lives at lower elevations, has shorter fur and a slightly different build); chimpanzee (much smaller and more agile)
