Mountain Gorilla Size, Weight, and Height – Mountain gorillas are the most endangered primates and are part of the Eastern gorilla species. They are found in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, living in the tropical rainforests of these three countries.
Mountain gorillas are unique creatures because they share 98% of their DNA with humans. As of 2024, their population is about 1,063, with Bwindi Impenetrable National Park hosting the largest number of these intelligent creatures.
Mountain gorillas live for about 35 to 40 years in the wild. Female mountain gorillas reach sexual maturity at the age of 8 to 9 years, while males reach maturity at 11 to 12 years. Their gestation period lasts between 8.5 to 9 months.
Mountain gorillas have a slow reproduction rate because a female gorilla takes four years after giving birth before she can reproduce again, as the infant must grow to a certain age.
Mountain gorillas feed on vegetation, including plant leaves, shoots, roots, and stems. The location where gorillas live depends on the availability of food sources.
These primates require a lot of food to sustain themselves as they move through the wilderness. A female adult gorilla eats about 18kg of food per day, while a male adult gorilla eats about 30kg daily.
Size of a Gorilla
Mountain gorillas are very large animals, and their size changes as they grow. When a mountain gorilla is born, it is usually very small.
Weight of a Gorilla
Mountain gorillas are heavy animals. Male adult gorillas are heavier than female adult gorillas. A male adult gorilla weighs between 150kg to 200kg, while a female adult gorilla weighs between 70kg to 100kg. A newborn gorilla usually weighs between 4kg to 5kg.
Height of a Gorilla
The average height of a mountain gorilla is 1.7m. Adult male gorillas are taller than adult females. An adult male standing upright reaches a height of 5.5ft, while an adult female reaches a height of 5ft. The tallest mountain gorilla ever recorded had a height of 1.95m.
