Foods of the Forest:
Gorilla
gorilla
is generally an herbivorous species, though individuals
also eat
small amounts of insects occasionally. Due to the wide array of plant
life available in their lush habitat, Western Gorillas have a very
diverse diet and will eat parts from as many as 180 different plant
species. Having so many food choices leads them to being quite picky
eaters throughout most of the year. Studies have shown that they favor
pieces of edible plants which have higher sugar content and low amounts
of tannin, such as fleshy fruits, and those which are higher in protein
and less fibrous, such as succulent leaves. 14
Ripe
fruit is by far the
preferred food of Western Gorillas, and they will expend considerable
energy seeking out their favorite varieties. However shoots, leaves,
piths, and roots of monocot species, which are plentiful in
th
e undergrowth of their forest homes, form the staple of their diet. Plants in the Marantaceae
family, related to the plant shown here, are an important staple food
plant for Western Gorillas in many areas of Africa.14
During
seasons when their favorite foods are scarce, Western Gorillas will
switch to eating more fibrous and less nutritious foods, including
stems, bark, and drier fruits. To compensate for this, they will eat a
higher volume of food and will not travel as much per day. Males will eat about 50 pounds of food per day 7,14
The
Western Gorilla has
developed several physical adaptations to help them get nutrients from
their environment. Their grasping hands allow them to
effectively
climb trees in search of food and to pick apart plants for the
most nutritious parts. They have a well-developed jaw musculature, as
well as large, crested molars, to aid them in chewing tough plant
material. The muscles of their jaw attach to a prominent, bone crest,
which runs sagitally along the top of their skulls. The digestive tract
of Western Gorillas contains a large stomach along with a caecum,
which holds millions of symbiotic bacteria to aid them in breaking down
the large
amounts of cellulose in their diet. 4
Gorillas, like all vertebrates, utilize a closed circulatory system to
deliver blood and nutrients throughout their bodies. Learn about other adaptations of the Western
Gorilla here.
Click on the image below
to view a video of a Western Lowland Gorilla eating bark from a section
of a branch.
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designed by Arika Wussow, Last updated April 2008.
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University
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e undergrowth of their forest homes, form the staple of their diet. Plants in the Marantaceae
family, related to the plant shown here, are an important staple food
plant for Western Gorillas in many areas of Africa.14
