The strength of a gorilla’s bite force is measured in newtons, since its power. Scientists and researchers have, over the years have zeroed in on the bite force of a gorilla, having measured it. A fully grown gorilla has a bite force of over 9,200 newtons, making it one of the strongest in the animal kingdom, which is too much for an herbivorous species that survives on vegetation and small insects. This strong bite force is aided by the large mouth and strong jaw of the gorilla. At a wide spread, the gorilla’s mouth can stretch up to 18-20 centimeters.
The gorilla’s strong bite force is largely used during fights with other rival gorillas, and only a quarter of this force is used by the primates during their normal routine of feeding. The diet of a gorilla is mainly made up of leaves, stems, fruits, small insects, and tree bark. The gorilla’s bite force aligns well with the body strength it possesses. A fully grown silverback can weigh up to 135-220 kilograms, and with a lifting strength of about 815 kilograms. This strength qualifies these primates among the gentle giants of the highland dense forests.
With this average strength in bite force, one would not be wrong to think these primates are dangerous and fierce. However, this is not the case as these primates, regardless of their strength, are one of the most peaceful creatures in the world. They are shy animals and gentle, tucked away in the dense highland vegetation in the Virunga ranges. The gorillas are intelligent and know when to use their strong bite force, and that’s why there are hardly any cases where these primates have used their bite force on visitors. Although it is very important to respect these primates and not trigger their wild side by threatening or stressing them.
How to meet these gorillas?
The process of encountering and spending approximately an hour with the gorillas in their natural habitats is called gorilla trekking. This process of gorilla trekking sees visitors navigating the dense jungles through the rugged and steep terrain to the gorillas. Upon this discovery, an hour kicks off this excitement as visitors are faced with the world’s largest primate species. Gorilla trekking allows visitors to get a hands-on experience as they move through the dense jungles while conquering the steep and even terrains through the trekking trails.
Gorilla trekking follows a pattern of a pre-trekking briefing that always takes place at the beginning of the trek to prepare the visitors on what they are about to discover and how they are required to act or conduct themselves. Through this important gorilla trekking experience, visitors can observe the gorillas’ bite force in action as these primates feed in their natural environment.
Where to see gorillas in the world?
Gorillas, as a primate species, are rare and endangered, meaning they are not everywhere in the world. There are specific regions and places where one can go and witness these gorillas in their natural habitats, are as the Virunga Conservation Area, and these places include the following.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Located in the southwestern region of Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a well-known gorilla destination. Its popularity is mostly associated with hosting the largest number of mountain gorillas in the world. About 459 gorillas roam Bwindi, and this number constitutes over half of the world population. The park’s four gorilla sectors of Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Ruhija ease the trekking experience as each sector hosts a relatively large number of these primates in families. An average of about 50 gorilla families are in Bwindi, and of these, 26 are habituated and available for trekking.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park comes second to Bwindi as another gorilla destination located in Uganda. This park concludes the stretch of the Virunga ranges, which hosts three of the eight volcanoes. These ranges in the park are the natural habitats of the endangered mountain gorillas. About 100 mountain gorillas call this park their home, although most of these primates are not yet habituated. One family, called the Nyakagezi gorilla family, is habituated and can be trekked.
Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is the mother habitat of other gorilla destinations. This is because it sets the pace from which these destinations stretch. Virunga kicks off the conservation area that encompasses all the gorilla destinations, putting them on the world map. This park hosts about 250 mountain gorillas in its massive size of about 6,000 square kilometers.
Volcanoes National Park
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park also sets the ground for more thrilling gorilla trekking adventures, where visitors can witness the gorillas’ bite force in action. Located in the northern region of the country, Volcanoes National Park has about 300 mountain gorillas, setting it in the ranks as a top gorilla destination. About 12 families inhabit this park, and only 10 gorilla families are habituated and ready for trekking.
What is the cost of gorilla trekking?
The cost of gorilla trekking in their natural environment ranges in the series of nationality and region of the visitors in each gorilla destination. These costs are raised and reduced along these lines, and one can only obtain this through purchasing a gorilla permit. This permit is bought from the Uganda Wildlife Authority through a trusted tour operator. A foreign non-resident permit costs between USD 800 in countries like Uganda and USD 1,500 in Rwanda. Foreign residents pay between USD 700-1000, and nationals pay around USD 200 for Rwandans and UGX 300,000 for Ugandans.
