Exploring Gorilla Infant Care and Behavior – Do They Endanger Their Young?
Lowland gorilla infant care and behavior – Baby of gorilla is called – How long do baby gorillas stay with their mother – 1 year old gorilla weight – What do baby gorillas eat – How many babies do gorillas have in a lifetime – Do baby gorillas cry – 2 year old Gorilla
Gorillas do not consume their young; however, they sometimes engage in infanticide.
This often happens when a mother with her young one ventures into a different group.
In these situations, the powerful silverback of the group might take the drastic step of eliminating the young baby gorilla. On the other hand, if a different silverback takes charge of the group, it might lead to the tragic fate of the young baby gorillas.
This behavior often appears among male baby gorillas, as the silverbacks may experience insecurity and worry that the young males might one day rise up and contest their authority.
Gorillas share an incredible connection with their little ones. Mothers lovingly nurture their babies with the gift of breast milk. The baby gorilla frequently clings to its mother’s back or chest, finding comfort and safety as it sleeps in the cozy nest until it reaches the age of 3-4 years.
At that moment, they might begin to rest in their own cozy spot while still staying near their mother’s haven.
Silverbacks are essential guardians of their communities. They safeguard the group from any possible danger, and if a female gorilla passes away, the silverback will take on the responsibility of caring for the baby gorilla, even permitting it to share their nest.
Baby gorillas share a deep bond with the group leader, frequently inviting the silverback to join in their playful antics.
Silverbacks are renowned for their fierce protection of their young, often using their powerful canine teeth to dismantle snares set by poachers.
Gorillas mainly consume plant matter, with around 86% of their diet made up of leaves, stems, pith, bark, bamboo shoots, roots, fruits, and other vegetation.
Gorillas feast on approximately 142 varieties of plants that thrive in their wild surroundings. They seldom sip water, as much of what they consume is brimming with moisture.
From time to time, gorillas enhance their meals with a variety of insects, including termites and ants.
A male silverback can devour around 30 kilograms of food each day, while a female can feast on up to 20 kilograms daily. To sum up, gorillas do not consume their young.
On your gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo, you might just encounter a baby gorilla along the way.
