Mountain gorillas live up to 53 years in captivity. Mountain gorillas can be found only in the forest ecosystems of Rwanda, Zaire, and Uganda. The dense, forest ecosystems of the mountains of East Africa are the last remaining habitat of the mountain gorilla. Mountain gorillas eat large amounts of vegetation and spend about 30 percent of each day foraging for food. They consume roots, leaves, stems of herbs, vines, bark from trees, shrub-sized plants, and bamboo shoots.
Mountain gorillas are shy, retiring animals.
They live in social groups of 2 to 35 individuals. An adult male silverback is the leader and protector of his band, which consists of females and offspring. Silverbacks will charge anything that threatens them or their group and are known for their chest beating displays when in danger. Females reach breeding age at about 10 years old. They typically bear young every four to five years, giving birth after a gestation period of eight to nine months.