After observing gorillas in Uganda, researchers have uncovered the mystery behind their behavior of eating decayed wood and licking tree stumps—a behavior that has puzzled scientists for decades.
The answer is: sodium
Gorillas in Bwindi National Park, Uganda, will chew on pieces of wood for a few minutes before spitting them out. Sometimes, they gnaw on the wood until their gums bleed. They also lick the surfaces of tree stumps and inside rotting logs, breaking off pieces of wood to nibble on later. Gorillas return daily to these stumps to feast.
Researchers previously speculated that the wood might have some medicinal properties, such as repelling parasites or alleviating stomach pain.
A new study from Cornell University in the United States has decoded this mystery. The team observed 15 gorillas of different ages and sexes while they consumed wood.
After the gorillas left, the researchers collected wood samples from the trees that the animals had eaten, as well as from trees they avoided. They also gathered other food items consumed by the gorillas.
The team analyzed the sodium content and found that decayed wood provided over 95% of the sodium in the gorillas’ diet, even though wood constituted only 4% of their overall food intake.
Many animal species crave sodium and will actively seek it out if their bodies are deficient in this nutrient. Sodium plays a crucial role in the biological functions of organisms, contributing to muscle contraction, blood pressure regulation, and water retention.
M.T
