Are Gorillas Friendly? Gorillas are strong animals with small eyes, large hands, and broad chests and shoulders.
They share 98.3% of their genes with humans, making them close relatives of humans, along with baboons and chimpanzees.
Mountain gorillas live in families or groups led by a dominant silverback.
Below is the composition of a mountain gorilla family:
- Dominant silverback
- Mature females
- Blackbacks
- Juvenile females
- Infants
- Other submissive silverbacks (if present in the group)
Mountain gorillas are herbivores. They mainly eat plant leaves, bamboo, fruits, and sometimes insects.
Gorillas dislike rain and seek shelter from it, just like humans.
However, gorillas have very bold faces, and their actions can sometimes make people question their nature. But the truth is, gorillas are generally very friendly giants, especially after they get used to humans.
They laugh, play, and mourn their loved ones when they lose them. They also become playful with humans and show no aggression as long as they do not feel threatened or insecure.
Nevertheless, when gorillas feel insecure, they warn their opponent or enemy before attacking. They do this to make them back off or face a challenge. They may throw down trees, beat the ground, beat their chests, or hoot as a defensive mechanism. Mountain gorillas only attack when they feel challenged, which can lead to danger.
Therefore, it is very important to follow all gorilla safety rules and regulations when encountering gorillas.
In addition, mountain gorillas are found in three countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. They are available for trekking any time of the year, though most tourists prefer the dry season when the trails are not wet and slippery, making hiking easier.
Mountain gorillas are also not resistant to diseases like the flu. So, it is important to ensure you are healthy before encountering them.
Overall, gorillas are generally very friendly giants as long as they feel at peace and are not insecure in any way.
