The western lowland gorilla is a herbivore, feeding on fruit, shoots, bulbs, a little tree bark, and leaves. While in captivity, they also prefer foods such as baked sweet potatoes or yams, baked bananas, oranges, other raw fruits and berries, milk, egg, dry cereal, and raisins. A silverback can eat up to 3kg of vegetation a day. Contrary to popular belief, only captive gorillas eat meat. The western lowland gorilla has a gestation period of 8-9 months.
Birth occurs with the female in supine position, over the course of a few minutes.
After the baby is delivered, the mother severs the umbilical cord. The offspring are born helpless and must be carried in the mother's arms. Once delivered, a new born weighs 3-5 pounds. Growing at twice the rate of a human baby, they are able to crawl and ride their mother's back at 3 months old. They continue to ride their mother's back until they are 3.5-4 years old.