What is the approximate daily food consumption weight for an adult Western lowland gorilla in captivity?
Answer
40 to 50 pounds
Adult Western lowland gorillas under managed care conditions typically consume a substantial volume of food daily, estimated to be between 40 and 50 pounds, dependent on the specific menu composition and the individual animal's needs. This high volume is necessary because a significant portion of their diet, derived from high-fiber sources like mature leaves and stems, is relatively low in readily available calories. This contrasts with their wild counterparts who must spend up to half their waking hours foraging just to meet caloric demands from a similarly low-energy-density wild diet, highlighting the efficiency of the captive feeding program in delivering required bulk.
Related Questions
What dietary classification leans heavily on leaves for Western lowland gorillas?Which specific fibrous plant material provides bulk and is easier to digest than tough leaves?Which two plant families frequently feature in the Western lowland gorilla diet?Why do gorillas dedicate more foraging time to fruit when it is in season?What minor animal food sources do Western lowland gorillas occasionally ingest?What measured component ensures complete nutrition in managed care for gorillas?What is the approximate daily food consumption weight for an adult Western lowland gorilla in captivity?How do wild Western lowland gorillas primarily acquire necessary hydration?How is the feeding behavior of the Western lowland gorilla characterized?What condition rarely, if ever, seen in the wild must husbandry actively manage in captive populations?