Mountain Gorilla Defense Mechanisms – Mountain gorillas are a subspecies of the Eastern gorillas. They are found in East Africa, around the Virunga volcanic mountains, in three national parks: Mgahinga and Bwindi in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
There are about 1,063 mountain gorillas remaining in the wild, with Bwindi having the highest number of individuals. Mountain gorillas have thick fur that protects them from cold temperatures and insect bites.
Male mountain gorillas grow to a height of 161-171 cm and weigh between 120 kg to 200 kg, while females weigh between 70 kg to 100 kg. Mountain gorillas are herbivorous animals, feeding on leaves, shoots, roots, and stems.
They live in groups of about 4 to 30 members, led by a dominant silverback who defends the family, decides feeding places and times, and mates with the females in the group.
Mountain Gorilla Defense Mechanisms
Defense mechanisms are strategies that help cope with stress, anxiety, or other uncomfortable emotions. Mountain gorillas have several defense mechanisms that enable them to protect themselves from predators such as humans, leopards, and crocodiles.
These defense mechanisms include:
- Chest Beating: Mountain gorillas beat their chests and stomp their feet to instill fear in predators and alert other family members to run for safety. This is usually done by the dominant silverback, who is responsible for defending the family.
- Standing Upright: Mountain gorillas stand upright to appear taller and larger than their predators, helping to scare them away.
- Exposing Strong Canine Teeth: Mountain gorillas expose their strong canine teeth when threatened to intimidate predators. These teeth are powerful enough to kill a predator if necessary.
- Staying Close to the Dominant Silverback: Mountain gorillas ensure they stay near the dominant silverback for protection. Being close to the silverback provides more safety, as he is the primary defender of the group. Females and infants often form strong ties with the silverback.
- Living and Moving in Groups: Mountain gorillas increase their chances of defending themselves by living and moving in groups. This allows them to join forces to fight off predators or threats.
- Thick Skin and Fur: Mountain gorillas have thick skin and fur that provides protection against bites and scratches from predators or rivals.
- Vocalizations: Mountain gorillas make loud vocalizations such as roars, grunts, and growls. These sounds are used to warn predators and rival groups of their presence and to signal danger.
- Charging: Mountain gorillas charge at perceived threats to intimidate or distract them, using this aggressive behavior to scare off potential predators.
Best Time to Visit Mountain Gorillas
The best time to visit mountain gorillas is during the dry season, which lasts from June to September and from December to February.
During this time, the trails are dry, and the mountain gorillas can be easily explored in their natural habitat.
