Why do Gorillas beat their chest?
Why do Gorillas beat their chest? – Gorilla tracking experience in Uganda and Rwanda
Gorillas beat their chests occasionally. So why do Gorillas beat their chest or what are the repercussions of beating your chest at a gorilla? Mountain Gorillas often beat their chests whenever they perceive a threat or danger. When the chest beatings occur, it indicates that the Gorilla is charging at a human or any rival. This is one of the warning signs that a Gorilla is definitely going to attack if you don’t stay away from its territory.
Mountain Gorillas also beat their chests as a sign of victory. This could be because they have won a fight. They can also beat their chests to attract female Gorillas and show how strong they are. Mountain Gorillas occasionally beat their chests when communicating. This is commonly done by Silverbacks. A Silverback can beat his chest and walk away as a way of communicating with the family members to follow him up.
Silverback Gorillas also beat their chests if there is a young silverback trying to challenge them. The dominating Silverback will beat their chest to send a warning to the young Silverback and in some cases, the young one may retreat or a fight can take place.
There are also other things that Gorillas do as a sign of communication or threatening an enemy. These include making loud sounds and grunts, tearing and throwing vegetation, roars, hooting, laughing, and sticking out their tongue, stamping feet on ground thunderously and many more. Gorillas use communication for many things like expressing happiness or distress when mating and communicating within the family.
About Mountain Gorillas
Mountain Gorillas are endangered species of primates found in central eastern Africa. They are the largest primates on earth with slightly more than 1080 individuals left in the world. Mountain Gorilla trekking is every tourist’s dream come true when coming to Africa and the opportunity should not be missed.
Mountain Gorillas live in social structures of families of 5-30 individuals, with a dominating Silverback who takes the lead of all the family’s activities on a daily basis. They are very calm and gentle animals but can also be aggressive and dangerous when they feel insecure and disturbed.
The Mountain Gorilla diet consists of 25% fruits with leaves, stems, bamboo shoot, pith, ants, insects, termites and more. They almost never drink water as the food they consume is full of moisture. Mountain Gorillas also avoid water and hate rain.
Gorilla Tracking Cheat Code
Gorilla tracking is undoubtedly one of the most sought after activities in Africa. The most common and interesting type of Gorilla trekking is Mountain Gorilla trekking, which can only be done in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo; in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park respectively.
Among these Gorilla tracking National Parks, only Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is isolated. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Virunga National Park share the Massif Virunga Conservation Area that protects the 8 Virunga Volcano Mountains.
This Gorilla trekking cheat code and info graphic guide should give you a highlight of what Gorilla trekking is, why it is a common activity, where you can carry it from and how best you can do it.