Have you ever wondered what mealtime looks like for a gorilla? At Zoo Atlanta, feeding the western lowland gorillas is much more than placing a big bowl of food in front of them — it’s a carefully planned part of their daily care that keeps them healthy, active, and happy.
In the wild, these gorillas are plant lovers at heart. They munch on leaves, stems, shoots, roots, flowers, and seeds, with fruit as a sweet bonus when it’s available. They even snack on the occasional termite or ant! Because they eat mostly plants, wild gorillas spend a large part of their day foraging and stripping leaves — and their strong jaws make short work of the tough, fibrous greens.
At the Zoo, the menu mirrors that natural diet. The gorillas enjoy collard greens, kale, romaine, carrots, cucumbers, celery, squash, melon, apples, grapes, and citrus — plus a very important ingredient: browse. That’s branches, bark, and leaves collected by the Zoo’s dedicated Browse Team, from bamboo and mulberry to oak and honeysuckle.
But here’s the fun part: keepers don’t just serve dinner in a dish. In the mornings, chopped fruits and vegetables are scattered throughout the habitat so the gorillas move, explore, and forage just like they would in the wild. Food is also hidden in enrichment toys that encourage problem-solving, tool use, and play — turning every meal into mental stimulation and great exercise.
Every bite is a chance for the Gorilla Care Team to support well-being and build trust with these gentle giants through training and cooperative care. Next time you visit, watch closely — you might spot a gorilla foraging for a hidden treat right in front of you!
Photo: Zoo Atlanta
