What Are The Basic Habits Of The Mountain Gorilla?

This giant ape was discovered in the higher levels of the West African forests in 1847. This creature's reported warlikeness, its tremendous strength and the remoteness of its habitation have stirred man's imagination and posed something of a mystery, arousing popular and scientific interest.

The African Primate Expedition set out in February 1959 to clear up the mystery. Gaining their objective involved roaming through the forests and climbing mist-shrouded mountains. Finally, in January 1961 they were on the home ground of the mountain gorilla, whose total population is said to be between 5,000 and 15,000. During the 466 hours they spent in full view of these mighty creatures a great deal was learned and recorded.

Altogether, members of the expedition had opportunity to study them in 314 separate encounters. Imagine being approached to within fifteen feet by one of these huge beasts—with nothing to bar his nearer approach! That was the experience of one member of the visiting group.

These big fellows rise early, about 6 a.m., and retire at about 6 p.m. Breakfast lasts for perhaps a couple of hours, their massive bodies moving from snack to snack. From about 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. they lounge around. Again they resume the search for food—food in much greater variety than any zoo would be likely to provide. A total of 100 food plants were collected in various study areas—by no means a monotonous diet!

Observers noted that these creatures have a total of some twenty-two distinct utterances or vocalizations, eight of them occurring quite frequently. There is the soft grumbling sound—sure sign of the contented ape. A series of abrupt grunts serve to keep the group together. A harsh scream may sound as if murder is being committed.

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