Mountain Gorilla Reproduction and Mating Habits – Mountain gorillas are a subspecies of the Eastern gorilla. Mountain gorillas are large ground-dwelling animals that live in the tropical rainforests of three countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mountain gorillas are physically characterized by their large body size. Males weigh about 400 pounds, and females weigh about 200 pounds. They have longer, thicker, and darker fur, a saddle-shaped patch of silver hair on their backs, unique nose prints, strong teeth, broad foreheads, and opposable thumbs.
Mountain gorillas live in mountainous areas at altitudes of 8,000 to 13,000 feet.
They feed on vegetation such as leaves, shoots, roots, stems, fruits, and bamboo.
Mountain gorillas are one of the most endangered primates on the planet due to poaching, diseases, and habitat loss.
The current mountain gorilla population is about 1,063 individuals in the wild.
Mountain Gorilla Reproduction and Mating Habits
Female mountain gorillas reach sexual maturity at the age of 10 to 12 years, although they can have their first ovulation at 8 years. Males reach sexual maturity at the age of 11 to 13 years.
Female mountain gorillas usually produce one infant or sometimes twins after a period of 4 years. This is because female gorillas wait until the infant is fully independent, which happens around the age of 4.
Female mountain gorillas are in heat for 1 to 2 days in a month. They attract males through body movements, uninterrupted eye contact, and puckering lips.
Gorillas do not have a specific mating season and can mate at any time of the year.
The gestation period for mountain gorillas is about 8.5 months. After giving birth, they wait for 4 years to conceive again until the infant is fully grown. This means they have a low reproduction rate.
Female mountain gorillas have a menstrual cycle of about 28 days, and the fertile period is usually 3 days when they can easily conceive.
Mountain gorillas are polygamous. The dominant silverback can mate with all the females in the family.
Mountain gorillas have a low birth rate, which greatly affects their population growth.
