safari&beach Blog

Gorilla Trivia
02/12/09

Did you know that gorillas can be identified by nose prints that are unique to each individual? Or that upright, males can reach 1.5–1.8 metres in height and weigh between 204–227 kg? The tallest silverback recorded was 1.94m and the heaviest weighed about 265kg. Each gorilla builds a nest from surrounding vegetation to sleep in, constructing a new nest every night, with the exception of infants who sleep with their mothers. Gorillas have no mating season and it usually the females who initiate mating behavior. A newborn gorilla weighs about 1.8 kg and spends the first few months of its life in constant physical contact with its mother. Weaning occurs around three years, although juveniles may remain with their mothers for years after that. A gorilla’s life expectancy is up to over 40 years of age