What structural components must gorillas rely on to fill caloric gaps when fruit production decreases seasonally?
Answer
Bark and more rigid stems
The survival strategy of the Western Gorilla involves significant dietary flexibility. When the availability of high-sugar, low-fiber fruit declines, their sustenance pivots entirely to the more fibrous, structural elements of the plants. This means that less palatable but calorically necessary materials like tough bark and rigid stems must be consumed to bridge the nutritional gap left by the scarcity of ripe fruit.
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