Mountain Gorillas

Gorillas are large mammals and the largest living primate who are very similar to humans. They are intelligent, have emotions, and experience the 5 senses. Female gorillas weigh 150 to 270 lbs. A male average weight is 353 lbs. Gorillas need a ton of vegetation to eat each day, so they roam large areas to get their food. Their land needs to be protected so they have the food they need to survive. An adult eats about 44 lbs a day. A gorilla takes the leaves and bark off. They use their hands to only eat what they like. Gorillas love bamboo. They eat around 70 different plants. Gorillas build nests each night to sleep out of leaves and plants. Gorillas use 25 recognized sounds that can be grunts, roars, growls. This makes many think they have a language. At about 10-12 years males fur change a silver color on their back which is where the get the name Silverback. The dominant male called the Silverback is in charge of each family can weigh up to 500 lbs. The Silverback is the leader. A silverback can eat as much as 77 lbs a day.