There are a number of similarities between mountain gorillas and humans, one of them being the fact that the Giant Apes also reproduce throughout the year (without following a particular mating season). The females’ sexual maturity starts earlier (10 to 12 years) than in males (11-13 years). While they experience their first ovulation by 8 years, reproduction begins by 10 years and beyond.
The menstrual cycle of female mountain gorillas is 28-33 days with a fertile window of 3 days and surprisingly, ovulation won’t happen again until two to five years after giving birth. One offspring is produced per delivery, although cases of twins are sometimes expected. These giant apes are generally polygamous with the dominant silverback of the gorilla group having access to all females in the family and when female gorillas come on heat, they initiate mating behavior by following males with uninterrupted eye contact as well as puckering lips although with no physical body changes unlike in Chimpanzees that exhibit physical changes during oestrus cycle. If the silverback doesn’t respond positively to her seduction, she will get closer and even touch him or hit the floor as a way of getting attention.
A male gorilla can mate with 3-4 female gorillas and capable of fathering up to 20 off-springs in their lifetime while females can produce 3-6 babies only within their lifetime. It is this slow reproduction rate that is responsible for endangered status of Great Apes in their natural habitat. The gestation period of female gorillas is 8.5 months and interestingly give birth during night time and the infant weighs 2-3 kilograms.
Like humans, their newborn babies are vulnerable hence special care is needed to ensure that they grow behold the critical age. It is until 3 months that the baby gorillas begin sitting upright, then begin walking by 6 months but still clip on their mothers’ backs for a long time. From 5 months, the baby gorillas start getting confidence among other group members as they can sometimes play with other infants or allow getting close to the silverback, although close to their mother. By one year, these infants can now move as far as 5 meters from the mother with brief intervals and by 2 years can spend a long time from the mother but still be able to get back. They are weaned at two and a half years as can live independent of the mother as well as begin making nests.
Unlike other animals that only mate for reproduction, female mountain gorillas sometimes mate to get favor in the eyes of dominant silverbacks in addition to jealous displays-reducing his chances of mating with other females in the gorilla group. Studies have shown that some expectant gorillas even choose to mate with the male gorilla as a way of showing him that she is ready and able for copulation.
Mountain gorillas are outstanding yet endangered primate species living in the dense rainforests of East and Central Africa, and are found in four National Parks of three countries that are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks, Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park that straddle within DR Congo, Uganda and Rwanda.
Gorilla groups are usually comprised of 5-30 members that comprise the dominant silverback, subordinate silverback, adult females, sub-adult females, black backs, infants and hierarchy is strictly followed.
Each of the four Gorilla Parks rewards travelers with out-of-this-World jungle experiences of being amidst the giant apes and trekking them is so far the most costly tourist experience in the African Continent. Even with the hefty costs involved in meeting face to face with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, the experience is generally remarkable and worthwhile.
Visitors have 60-minutes of observation and photography after making contact with the Giant Apes during treks. It should be noted that gorilla permit prices differ in each of the country – $400, $700 and $1500 for Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda respectively.
