MILLIPEDES AND GORILLAS

MILLIPEDES AND GORILLAS.

By Isaac Tawo Bessong

During my research in the Mbe Mountains, I saw many millipedes on the forest floor. Knowing that gorillas are found in the Mbe Mountains, I believe they will be of great importance to the gorillas. This prompted me to snape and do a little research on their relationship with the cross-river gorilla. Here is what I found out:

Millipedes are very important on the forest floor because they help keep the ecosystem healthy and balanced.

Here are their key roles explained:

1. Decomposition (Breaking Down Dead Matter)

Millipedes feed on dead leaves, wood, and plant materials.
By eating and breaking down this waste, they help turn it into smaller pieces that can decay faster.

👉 This prevents the forest floor from being covered with too much dead material.

2. Soil Fertility Improvement

As millipedes digest plant matter, they produce nutrient-rich waste (droppings).
These nutrients return to the soil and help plants grow better.

👉 This means they act like natural recyclers or compost makers.

3. Soil Formation and Aeration

Their movement through the soil helps:

Mix organic matter with soil
Improve soil structure
Allow air and water to move through the soil

👉 This improves soil health.

4. Food Source for Other Animals

Millipedes are eaten by:

Birds
Frogs
Small mammals
Some insects

👉 They are part of the forest food chain.

Millipedes are an important source of nutrients for gorillas. Gorillas eat millipedes mainly for nutrition and health benefits, not because they are their main food.

1. Extra Nutrients

Although gorillas are mostly plant-eaters, millipedes provide:, Protein, Minerals, Trace nutrients that may not be abundant in leaves and fruits.

It’s like adding a small protein supplement to a mostly vegetarian diet.

2. Self-Medication (Possible Health Benefit)

Millipedes release special chemicals when disturbed. Some species produce substances that can:

Repel parasites
Kill bacteria or fungi

Scientists believe gorillas may rub or chew millipedes to help control intestinal parasites or skin parasites.

3. Mineral Supplement

Millipedes may also contain salts and other micronutrients that are scarce in forest vegetation.

4. Opportunistic Feeding

Gorillas are curious and intelligent. If they find something edible and beneficial, they may eat it occasionally.

Gorillas eat millipedes as a nutritional and possibly medicinal supplement, not as a main meal.

Boki Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (BBC Foundation)

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