How Long Do Mountain Gorillas Live? Average Life Span Of A Mountain Gorilla

Mountain gorillas are one of the most iconic and highly endangered primate species in the world. These huge and magnificent species live in the mist-covered hilly regions of East and Central Africa, particularly in the protected areas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park– Uganda, Volcanoes National Park– Rwanda, and Virunga National Park– Democratic Republic of Congo. These great apes live a socially rich however complex life style with their life span depending on several factors.

On average, mountain gorillas have a lifespan of between 35 to 40 years though some do reach their mid 40s more so when exposed to favorable living conditions. The lifespan of a mountain gorilla may largely depend on whether the mountain gorillas are living in the wild or in captivity. Gorillas that live in the wild typically live for between 35 years to 40 years which is less compared to the average life span of the mountain gorilla in captivity. Gorillas in captivity receive special attention and dedication on a daily basis therefore are able to out-live the gorillas in the wild that mostly fend for themselves. However, mountain gorillas are extensively wild animals therefore there is a very minimal number in captivity.

Here are a number of factors that affect the life span of mountain gorillas.

  1. Poaching and Human conflict

Although mountain gorillas are a highly protected species, they still experience threats against their existence. Silver back gorillas have fewer natural predators due to their size and strength; however, they are not entirely free from danger. This implies that the younger mountain gorillas are even more prone to attacks.

While mountain gorillas in the wild are exposed to the threat of poachers, mountain gorillas in captivity are entirely free from this threat thus reducing the risk of losing their lives.

Although direct poaching of mountain gorillas is a rare incident to-date due to the strict conservation efforts in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, they may be injured by snares set for other wildlife or human beings such as civil wars, which also impact the survival rates of these mountain gorillas.

  1. Disease and Illness

Disease is one of the most significant threats to gorillas especially those in the wild. Mountain gorillas are vulnerable to diseases particularly human diseases given that they share a 98% DNA with humans. Such diseases include; respiratory diseases, viral and bacterial infections, among others. These diseases have a significant impact on their survival rate.

Most of the gorilla national parks such Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park as well as Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park have strict tourism regulations that assist minimize disease transmission.

  1. Habitat Loss and Environmental Changes

Human activities such as deforestation, infrastructural development, mining, among others play a huge role on the survival of the mountain gorillas. This loss of habitat and environmental changes reduces food availability among the gorillas due to the alteration in the vegetation causing competition and conflict among them thus reducing the life span of these endangered species.

  1. Nutrition and Food Availability

Mountain gorillas are primarily herbivores animals feeding on leaves, stems, fruits, and shoots. The dense vegetation in the gorilla national parks provide a relatively stable food supply year-round, which supports their longer life span.

Seasonal changes however that affect food availability, and quality of vegetation cause shortage in vegetation leading to malnutrition among these animals hence weakening the immune systems of the mountain gorillas thus leaving them vulnerable to diseases.

  1. Social Structure and Stability

Mountain gorillas live in stable family setting led by a dominant silverback that provides protection and support to the black backs, juveniles, adult females and the babies. The more stable a group is the higher the survival rate of its members.  And as a result of this, when a silverback dies, and the group fails to agree on the next leader of the group, the group disbands reducing the survival rate of all the members of the group especially the babies due to their high dependency.

Life Stages of a Mountain Gorilla

Mountain gorillas go through 4 different stages of their life from the time of birth from infancy to adulthood as below;

1.Infancy/ Babies age between 0–3 years

Just like human beings, mountain gorillas have a gestation period of 8.5 months and at birth, mountain gorillas weigh between 1.8 to 2 kg.

During this age range, these gorillas are entirely dependent on their mother’s milk and are quite clingy.

Between the age of 2-3 months, they begin crawling and later from 5 months and onwards start riding on the mother’s back.

2.Juvenile Stage, between 3–6 years

At this age, mountain gorillas become more independent, begin eating vegetation, exhibit a very playful behaviour and are able to move on their own however still remain close and largely dependant on their mothers.

Playing and social interaction is very important during this period, as it help prepare the baby gorillas for adulthood.

  1. Adolescence stage, between 6–10 years

This is a transitional period for the mountain gorillas characterized with rapid growth. Despite the fact that all the mountain gorillas are in their growing stage, the females mature faster than males.

During this time, the females start showing signs of sexual maturity and this happens mostly around the age of 8 years. The males on the other hand, now referred to as black backs, develop larger chest muscles and exhibit an increased dominance behavior.

budget gorilla trekking4.Adulthood (10+ years)

Since the female mountain gorillas mature faster than the male mountain gorillas, the females reach their full maturity as early as 10 years whereas the male at 12 years. At this stage the female gorillas are ready to conceive and start bearing babies. Their reproductivity however is slow since mountain gorillas give birth to one infant within 4 to 5 years making conservation efforts very critical for the survival of this species.

At the same stage, male gorillas start developing the distinctive silvery hair on their backs hence transforming from black backs to the silverbacks. These do not necessarily become the famous dominant silverbacks however can be become the dominant silver back when he becomes the leader of the group. Silver backs can remain dominant for many years if they are strong and healthy.

Mountain gorillas typically live for about 35 to 40 years from the age of vulnerable infancy to the commanding stage of adulthood, with each stage reflecting a highly intelligent and sociable species that depends heavily on the group and habitat protection.