Introduction:
Gorillas are one of the most fascinating and complex primates on the planet. Their long arms, powerful builds, black coats, and complex societies have made them among the world’s most beloved animals. Aside from all the attention they receive, though, there are a lot of interesting facts about gorillas that many people don’t know. Here are fifteen fascinating facts about gorillas that you may not have heard before.
Fact 1: Gorillas Live in Large Groups
Gorillas are some of the most social primates out there. They travel and feed in large groups called “troops” with several males and females, along with their offspring. Most gorilla troops have 10 to 20 individuals, but some can be as large as 50 or more. Being social helps protect them from predators, and it also allows them to socialize and bond with each other which is a very important part of their nature.
Fact 2: Gorillas can Live up to 50 Years
Gorillas can live for quite a long time in captivity, up to 50 years and sometimes even longer. In the wild, however, they usually don’t live quite as long due to more dangerous conditions. The average life expectancy for wild gorillas is between 35 and 40 years, with male gorillas tending to live a bit longer than females.
Fact 3: Gorillas are Herbivores
Gorillas are herbivores and primarily eat leaves, shoots, fruits, and bark. Their diet is very varied which helps them remain healthy as it provides them with all of the nutrients they need. Although gorillas sometimes also eat small animals and insects, the vast majority of their diet is plant-based.
Fact 4: Gorillas Live in Dense Forests
Gorillas live in dense rainforests and tropical forests where they have plenty of plants to eat and places to hide from predators. They tend to prefer areas where there is plenty of food within a relatively small area, and some gorilla troops stick to the same stretches of forest they know and love. You can find gorillas in the forests of countries like Rwanda, Uganda, and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Fact 5: Gorillas are Strong
Gorillas are incredibly strong animals, with males being up to twice as strong as the average human. Gorillas are surprisingly adept climbers too, even though they are large animals. This skill is, of course, essential for finding food in the forest and for escaping predators.
Fact 6: Gorillas Communicate a lot
Gorillas communicate with each other through a variety of methods. They have a very complex vocal system, which they use to make various sounds that can be heard from some distance away. Grooming is also a popular method of communication between gorillas, as is body language such as hand gestures.
Fact 7: Gorillas have Unique Facial Expressions
Gorillas have surprisingly complex facial expressions that are unique to each animal. They can, for example, puff out their cheeks, stick out their tongues, and do many other seemingly human-like things with their faces. Each gorilla has its own set of expressions, which it uses to communicate with its peers.
Fact 8: Gorillas Have Hierarchies
Gorillas live in troops with alpha males at the top who collect most of the food and pass it down the line. Subordinate males tend to stick to the edge of the troop and females form their own smaller subgroups. This hierarchy allows the troop to remain organized and function effectively as a unit.
Fact 9: Gorillas Enjoy Playtime
Gorillas, much like humans, love to play. Usually, the younger gorillas will play with each other while the adults watch from a distance. They will wrestle, roll around, and generally have a good time. This kind of activity helps the gorillas bond with each other and learn important skills.
Fact 10: Gorillas are Territorial
Gorillas tend to be territorial as well, and will sometimes fight over resources or territory. These fights can be quite dramatic and involve a lot of roaring and other intimidating postures. Fights between groups of gorillas can lead to fatalities, but usually, they just involve displaying and a lot of roaring.
Fact 11: Females Care for their Young
Females are very caring of their young and will spend a lot of time caring for them and teaching them the necessary skills for survival. Females usually have one or two offspring and will protect and nurture them until they are ready to leave the group and join another.
Fact 12: Gorillas Make Nests at Night
Gorillas make “nests” from leaves and branches each night to sleep in. Usually, they will make several nests throughout the evening so that they can have one place to sleep in each part of the forest they are in. This helps them stay close to food sources and protects them from predators.
Fact 13: Gorillas Have Unique Handprint
Gorillas have unique handprints that are theirs alone. Each gorilla’s handprint is different, even from those of their closest relatives. This helps researchers identify each individual easily, and can also tell them about the health of an individual gorilla.
Fact 14: Famous Gorillas Kept in Captivity
There are some well-known gorillas kept in captivity, like Colo, Koko and Baba. They have been given human names, which makes them easier to identify. Colo in particular gained fame after she was the second gorilla ever to be born in captivity and live to adulthood.
Fact 15: Gorillas Build Human-like Tools
Gorillas are incredibly smart animals and have even been observed making tools similar to those used by humans. They will collect sticks and use them to reach food, and will also sometimes make use of stones to assist in their feeding efforts.
Conclusion
Gorillas are some of the most enigmatic and captivating animals around. Their complex personalities, social structures, and powerful builds make them beloved by many. After reading this article, you should have some idea of why that is. From their long lifespans to their handprint uniqueness, gorillas continue to fascinate us to this day.
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