How do Mountain Gorillas Sleep?

Mountain gorillas are captivating creatures whose lives mesmerize primates and nature lovers. However, little information is availed to travelers about their daily routines, one of which is how they sleep/nest. Well, these endangered Giant Apes actually sleep in nests (like the bird kind of nests) constructed in trees or on the ground. 

The location of gorilla nests (whether in trees or on the ground) largely depends on a number of factors that include the prevailing security situation as well as the nature of vegetation. As it is widely known, mountain gorillas live in families/groups/troops and in the evening, each member of the family is mandated to build a new nest, whether or not it is a few meters from previous nights’ nests. 

As earlier mentioned, every member constructs his/her own sleeping nest, with the exception of infants who sleep in the same nest as their mothers. This goes on until 3-4 years when the mother is ready to have another baby and at that point, the young mountain gorilla has learned how to build nests by watching his/her mother each day or demonstrating during the day after watching older individuals. 

When do mountain gorillas build their nests?

Normally, the building of gorilla nests starts about half an hour before darkness sets in and the Great Apes occupy their built nests. Sometimes (on rare occasions), nests are constructed for the afternoon nap/siesta especially for the infants although not as elaborate as the ones for night sleep. One interesting thing you need to know is that mountain gorillas never spend more than a night in the same nest, but can build the new one a stone throw from the previous one. Their constant movement from one area to another is possibly the reason why these Giant Apes are sometimes referred to as “nomads” and this movement is determined by the presence of fruits as well as vegetation. 

How are Mountain gorilla nests built?

Before the ground nests are constructed, mountain gorillas heave tree branches and grasses as well as other nest-worthy plants to the center. This is followed by laying and anchoring them to each other to form softer and more comfortable bedding.

The Great Apes then bend in other pants to make the nest rims. These make it comfortable for them to sleep even during rainy or extremely cold nights. 

Tree nests are mainly made by female and younger gorillas because silverbacks (the matured male) individuals are heavier to sleep in trees. These are constructed from forks of branches or any material with similar structures and strength. This is carefully built in a way that it is capable of handling the weight of the gorilla planning to use it. Besides tree nests being favorable for the lighter gorillas, they are also built for security reasons, as the silverbacks can nest on the ground to offer protection to the family against any external threats from predators (leopards and sometimes poachers). 

How long do Mountain gorillas sleep?

Like other Great Apes, mountain gorillas rest all night, usually comprising 12 hours of sleep. The process of searching for a safe and secure place to make nests in the evening is obviously not an easy task but these Great Apes have to go through it on a daily basis.

The mountain gorillas are one of the exceptional wildlife species in Africa and are found in only three countries that include Uganda (Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks), Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (Virunga National Park). In each of these places, every gorilla group is trekked by a maximum of 8 visitors hence gorilla permits are limited. To book your slot in any of the safari destinations, book for your gorilla safari at least 3-6 months in advance.