what do gorillas eat

Gorillas primarily eat a herbivorous diet consisting mostly of plant materials. Their diet includes leaves, stems, shoots, bark, roots, fruits, flowers, and pith (the soft inner tissue of plants). They consume a large variety of vegetation such as thistles, nettles, wild celery, and bamboo shoots. Mountain gorillas specifically have a diet made up roughly of 85% leaves, shoots, and stems, 7% fruits, 3% roots and tubers, 2% flowers, and 2% tree bark. They occasionally consume insects like ants, termites, and caterpillars for additional protein, though this is a very small part of their diet. Fruits, while eaten, are less abundant in their high-altitude habitats. Preferred fruits include figs, mulberries, bananas, and wild berries. Lowland gorillas tend to eat more fruit compared to mountain gorillas, and their diet can vary seasonally depending on fruit availability. They may also consume soil or clay to help neutralize plant toxins and provide minerals. In summary, gorillas are primarily herbivores , eating a diverse range of plants with occasional small insects supplementing their protein intake.