They hardly drink water directly from the source because they get the liquid from the vegetation they eat. In areas near human communities, crops attract gorillas, which they can eat. The amount of food consumed varies among individuals. An adult male can consume 18 to 20 kilograms of food daily, while females consume two-thirds of that amount. In times of abundance, fruits can reach up to 25 percent of their total consumption. Their diet varies seasonally, and it is very diverse. The eastern lowland gorilla subspecies (Gorilla beringei graueri) feed on at least 104 species of plants. Only 2% are fruits, 3% flowers, and 7% roots and invertebrates. Therefore, they consume leaves, stems, and buds of 142 species of plants, representing up to 86 percent of all their diet.
The mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) lives in areas of high altitude above sea level, so their habitat lacks fruit trees. The Afi Mountain subpopulation consumes many herbs of the genus Aframomum, but in the rainy season when available, they prefer the species Amorphophallus difformis. The Cross River gorilla subspecies (Gorilla gorilla diehli) are known to consume fruits, leaves, stems, and occasionally invertebrates. The other three gorilla subspecies consume much fewer fruit. About 67 percent of their diet are fruits, 17 percent are leaves, and the rest are seeds, stems, caterpillars, ants, and termites. The Western Lowland Gorilla subspecies (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) eat the fruits of more than 100 species of trees, 97 of which produce fruits seasonally. Gorillas eat small leaves, stems, fruits, bark, and buds, and occasionally small invertebrates like ants, worms, termites, and larvae. The eastern gorilla is far from its western relative, and since they live in specific regions at different altitudes, with particular vegetation in each place, the components of their diet often differ from species to species, between subspecies, and even according to the season of the year.Īn adult gorilla can consume 18 to 20 kilograms of food daily. There are two species with two subspecies each, and they all inhabit different areas. It is impossible to generalize the diet of all gorillas. This also reduces the need for water most of the time. This means the surrounding temperature is low, and they don’t lose large amounts of water to the temperature. The second reason is that Mountain Gorillas live in high-altitude areas. These leaves provide enough water intake. The first reason is that there are herbivores, which means they feed on fresh plants and leaves. Mountain Gorillas are also not particular about water intake. These materials are believed to help regulate their digestive system. You may also find them eating ash and soil in small quantities. You may also find Gorillas eating pith of wood.Īs much as Gorillas are herbivores, you may also find them eating insects, including termites, ants, and the likes. These include young branches, leaves, fruits and seeds, buds, roots, stems, and barks. What do Gorillas Eat?Īs stated in the introduction, Gorillas are herbivores, and thus, they mainly consume a vegetarian diet. You will get a comprehensive guide on Gorilla feeding in the article. They do not eat flesh nor do they mix their diet. They feed on leaves, vegetative materials, and nothing else.
They seem to prefer their diet in the wild, rather than what they are offered in the zoo.įor starters, it is important to note that Gorillas are herbivores. In this article, we will discuss the diet of Gorillas and how their feeding pattern helps them build a strong and muscular body.Īnother reason why this question continues to bother most people is many Gorillas do not survive in captivity (Zoo). It is instinctive to attribute their feeding habit to their size. One of the biggest animals you will ever find is the Gorilla.
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