Mothers & Infants | ||
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Details | This photo includes both gorilla mothers, each holding the other's infant. Haloko is in the foreground with Kejana, and Mandara is in the back with Baraka. Each animal is "aunting" the other's baby, though Mandara is actually acting as a wet-nurse. To learn more see Gorillas Just Want to Have Fun by Kim Eisler - Washingtonian Magazine. | |
Species | Lowland Gorilla - Gorilla G. Gorilla | |
Range | Zaire River Basin, from coastal Gabon to the Virunga Mts. of Zaire, Rwanda & Uganda. | |
Habitat | Undisturbed rain forests to 3,000 m. (10,000 ft.). | |
Social Structure | Troops of 4 to 30 gorillas; a silver-backed male leads each troop. | |
Behavior | Shy, unaggresive. Builds nests on the ground or in trees up to 18 m. (60 ft.) where they spend the night. | |
Voice | About 16 different vocalizations. | |
Diet | Prefers leaves, shoots & buds. | |
Lifespan | 37 years in zoos. | |
Status | Endangered |