The gestation period of Mountain gorillas
The gestation period of mountain gorillas is about 8.5 to 9 months equivalent to that of humans and a new born usually weighs 2kg, smaller than human babies at birth. Gorillas have a slow reproduction rate with a maximum number of offspring in their lifetime being 6 to 8 babies.
Reproduction of mountain gorillas
Female gorillas reach sexual maturity at about 10 – 12 years. Mating and breeding occurs throughout the year. Usually the dominant silverback mates with all females in the group as soon as they begin ovulation and the female gorilla initiates the mating when they are ready. The silverback can also approach the female for mating.
After the mating process, the female gorilla has the gestation period of 8.5 – 9 months and they give birth every after 4 years. It is rare to give birth to twins amongst the mountain gorillas. The infants depend on the mother for survival as the silverback protects them from bullying. The baby gorillas also nurse up to 4 years as distance between the mother increases.
The ovulation cycle for the mother starts again.
You can watch mountain gorillas while on a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park situated in South western Uganda.
3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari