Name: mountain gorilla

Scientific name: Gorilla Gorilla Berengei

Swahili name: N’gagi

Prologue

The mountain gorilla is one of the most endangered species of animals on the planet with only about 650 left. They have endured decades of civil war in central and east Africa. Habitat loss, poaching, and spread of diseases like “Ebola” are to blame for killing so many of these animals. Slow reproduction also played a part. They usually live about 53 years.

Appearance

These huge vegetarians can be up to 6 feet tall and weigh anywhere from 300 to 425 pounds but are quite gentle unless threatened. They are massive with short thick trunks and broad chest and shoulders. Its arms are much longer than its stubby legs.

Diet

Since they are vegetarians, they will eat most any kind of plant they can find, but their favorites include wild celery, bamboo, thistles, stinging nettles, bed straw, and various fruits. The plants that they eat give them all the moisture that they need so that they do not need to drink water.

Behavior

These mammals are nomadic and build new nests everyday at dusk. These nests are either made out of grasses on the ground or leave and bent branches in a tree. They stay in groups of up to 30 gorillas.

Epilogue

Thanks to recent efforts such as zoos, captive breeding, and wildlife preserves, the mountain gorilla population is slowly increasing.