Dietary Habits of the Gorilla

An animal's habitat directly impacts on its diet; therefore, it is important to get to know the gorilla's distribution and environment. Gorillas mainly live in Africa, but they also inhabit many different areas. The genus is divided according to the origin of the species; there is the Eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei) and the Western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla).

In the African continent, gorillas can be found in either one of two environments:

• Lowland areas: These gorillas live in forests and areas close to swamps where they can find plenty of trees, fruit and leaves.

• Areas of high altitude: These mountainous regions are situated at a higher altitude, where food is scarce. Still, a smaller number of gorillas live in this environment.

Gorillas don't stay in the same place for more than a day; they have well-defined migration patterns.

Gorillas have a robust build and very sharp teeth. Due to these characteristics, many people think they eat meat, but nothing could be further from the truth. Gorillas are herbivores.

The majority of a gorilla's diet consists of fruit, leaves, twigs, branches and berries. They can eat small insects, but these only represent 1-2% of their diet. In some places, gorillas have access to approximately 200 different types of plants, fruit and trees which are very nutritious and allow for a varied diet.

Another similarity with humans is that gorillas seem to need different kinds of nutrients, such as fiber, sugar, protein and water.

Another important feature of the gorillas' diet is that they use various tools to get to their food. This is another similar characteristic to humans.

When gorillas go looking for food, if they have to cross a swamp they will use sticks to measure the depth of water. They also use stones to pull fruit apart to get to the pulp. Moreover, gorillas get water to their mouths by clasping their hands together like a bowl - a gesture that you've surely made sometimes!

Gorillas can eat up to 18 kilos (40 pounds) of food a day. This is why they spend most of the day eating; they have a large appetite, a very big stomach and a really quick digestive system.

Despite their huge appetite and desire for food, gorillas always behave responsibly. In fact, they never run out of food in a specific area, hence their migratory habits. They look to their future!

If you want to read similar articles to Dietary Habits of the Gorilla, we recommend you visit our Healthy diets category.