FACTS ABOUT EASTERN LOWLAND GORILLAS

Facts About Eastern Lowland Gorillas : The eastern lowland gorillas are among the different gorilla types that can be seen when you participate in gorilla trekking in Africa which can give you access to a number of national parks where you can take part in gorilla trekking in Africa where you will get to understand the different gorilla types like the mountain gorillas in Mgahinga national park and Bwindi impenetrable national park, gorilla trekking in Rwanda will give you the chance to visit  volcanoes national park and gorilla trekking in Virunga national park where you will get to understand more about the endangered mountain gorillas which are the most  famous gorilla types in the world that are also endangered.

Another interesting type of gorillas that tourists will enjoy watching and spending time with are the eastern lowland gorillas that are quite different from the mountain gorillas with unique attributes compared to those of the mountain gorillas and these can be seen when you participate in gorilla trekking in kahuzi biega national park one of the most rewarding national parks in Congo. Important to note about the eastern lowland gorillas is the fact that are a sub species of the eastern gorillas making the quite similar to the mountain gorillas and once you take part in gorilla trekking in kahuzi biega national park, you will get to understand the different facts of the eastern lowland gorillas for an amazing Congo safari.

HABITAT

Just to be different from the mountain gorillas that are found in the high elevations, the eastern lowland gorillas on the other hand can be found in the lowland areas of kahuzi biega park in areas where food is readily available because the gorillas spend most of their time eating and an interesting fact about the species is the fact that they can walk up to 500 kilometres in search of food and they can eat at least 18 kilograms of food daily which comprises of a number of edible leaves like celery, a number of wild fruits like grapes, berries and rarely they can be seen eating a number of invertebrates like centipedes, millipedes, larvae in cases where there is scarcity of food.

Interesting about the lowland gorillas is the fact that they construct different nests every night this is because when they settle in an area, they usually consume all its food and also as a way to prevent parasites that may nest in the areas they sleep. They construct the nests normally when the sun is about to set to ensure that the are safe in their sleeping areas.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

The eastern lowland gorillas are quite similar to the mountain gorillas which can make it difficult for one to tell the apart however while you participate in gorilla trekking, you will get to understand their differences this will give you the chance to understand to understand a number of physical attributes like the fact that they have broad chests, large head, long arms with flat noses and when they get old about 14 years, they can be seen with grey hair of their backs and they get bald on their  breasts and their heads. The adult males can weigh up to 140kg-205kg and the females at 90-100 kg which makes them quite larger than the females.

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

The adult male is the general overseer and the leader of the group who has all the mating rights with all the adult females of the group. The group also comprises of the adult females, the off springs and other black backs. In case the dominant male dies, the gorilla family disperses and moves to other gorilla families and you can see a number of off springs that are dispersed off in a number of gorilla families when it comes to the mountain gorillas but for the eastern lowland gorillas, they can be seen sticking with the off springs.

REPRODUCTION

The dominant silver back has the mating rights with all the females of the group which brings about competition among the adult females because of the need to get the attention from the dominant male so as to mate with them and this has brought about aggressive characteristics of the gorillas towards one another. When the females are ovulating, they entice the dominant male by lip movements and eye contact with them, she can also be seen slapping the ground which acts as an indication that they are ready to mate with them. If the male is ready to mate with the female, he will show interest by touching the female and mating will be carried out.

When the gorilla conceives, she will take about 8.5 months to give birth to the infant and once it is produced, it is the duty of the male to take care and protect the female and the infant because the infant is seen as a threat for leadership and in such situations if they are not well protected, they can be killed by other black backs(males) in the gorilla family

DISTINCTION FROM ONE ANOTHER

Another interesting fact about the eastern lowland gorillas is the fact that they can be distinguished from one another from their nose prints which are quite unique just like the finger prints among one another