Food consumed during the high fruit season was higher in digestible energy, but not any other macronutrients. We tested if during the high fruit season the food consumed by western gorillas was higher in quality (higher in energy, sugar, fat but lower in fibre and antifeedants) than during the low fruit season. Observations of one habituated group of western gorillas in Bai-Hokou, Central African Republic (December 2004-December 2005) were used to examine seasonal variation in diet quality and nutritional intake. Western gorillas ( Gorilla gorilla) are an interesting model for investigating this topic because they are folivore-frugivores that adjust their diet and activities to seasonal variation in fruit availability. They treat each other with kindness and consideration.The daily energy requirements of animals are determined by a combination of physical and physiological factors, but food availability may challenge the capacity to meet nutritional needs. The faces of gorillas are different from one another, just like humans.A male gorilla can weigh twice as much as a female. A baby gorilla may weigh only 4.5 pounds at birth but grow to become a 400-pound adult.The physical parts and mechanics of a gorilla’s hand are similar to a human’s but it is twice as big.They savor their meals, smacking lips together and grumbling with contentment. They are methodical in search of food and they are smart enough to remember when and where the most desirable food ripens.At night they build nests for sleeping, sometimes in trees, sometimes on the ground. Family troops are lead by an adult male, commonly identified as a “silverback.” Although some groups may be all male, one adult will be the lead, or the “silverback.” The troop spends most of its time in search of the 40 pounds of leaves, stems and roots each adult needs. Gorilla groups can be composed of different social forms.The gorilla’s stomach is much larger than the chest, permitting the gorilla to eat and store bulky, vegetative food. The bones and muscles of gorillas and humans are similar but the body shape is different.Although its head is larger, a gorilla’s brain is smaller than a human’s.An average male gorilla is six inches shorter than an average man but its arms are about a foot longer. While people have arms equal in length to their legs, gorillas’ arms are proportionately different.They use the hand like a foot and walk on the knuckles.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |