Few animals have tickled human’s imagination in the way gorillas did, these being the largest primates. Most gorillas live in inaccessible regions, in African tropical forests, being intensively studied in the past 30 years. The Mountain Gorilla is a massive animal, with a short and thick body, broad chest and shoulders. The eyes and ears are smaller compared to the large head and the black muzzle. To the older adult males a hairy crest develops, making their heads appear larger than it actually is. Hands are longer compared to the short legs. Adult males are twice larger than females.

This animal is shy and quiet. Usually, it is peaceful, but if it feels threatened it will bravely defend the family. Families are composed of up to 30 members, which are very united. Even if groups are smaller, these have usually a male adult, one or more females and several young members. Gorillas are very attached to their group members and even if more groups get together, at the time of separation gorillas tend to return to the original group.

The Mountain Gorilla feeds on a wide variety of plants, its favorite being wild celery, bamboo, thistles, nettles and various fruits. It seems that these plants provide it sufficient liquids because the mountain gorillas do not drink water. The only enemies of these animals are leopards and man.