Habitat and Range- The mountain gorilla's habitat is limited to protected national parks in two regions of Africa. The mountain gorilla's habitat is limited to protected national parks in two regions of Africa. One group of gorillas live in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. The other group is spread over three national parks in the Virungas mountain region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda.
Predators and Enemies- The gorilla's only known enemies are leopards and humans. Crocodiles are potentially dangerous to mountaingorillas. In western Africa, gorillas are commonly hunted for meat or in retaliation for crop raiding, but in eastern Africa they have been the victims of snares and traps set for antelope and other animals.
Defense Mechanisms- When in need of a defense mechanism, gorillas rely on their powerful arms, which are fully developed with strong muscles. Gorillas have strong and muscular arms, which allow them to fight off predators, grasp and break twigs and branches and move through trees. A strong upper torso distinguishes gorillas from many other animals, including humans.
Threats- Habitat loss. The threat to mountain gorillas comes from forest clearance and degradation, as the region's growing human population struggles to eke out a living. Conversion of land for agriculture and competition for limited natural resources such as firewood lead to varying degrees of deforestation. One other threat is hunting and poaching.