Did you know that gorillas, the largest primates on Earth, can reach heights of six feet? Their social structures resemble ours in many ways and share many emotional characteristics – laughter, sadness, and various states of emotion all similar. Furthermore, gorillas outweigh humans tenfold!
Are you fascinated with gorillas and want to gain more knowledge? We have put together an interesting list of facts about gorillas, which focus on some of their most striking characteristics.
8 Jaw-Dropping Facts About Gorillas
1: Gorillas Come In Two Types: Eastern and Western
Gorillas can be divided into two broad classifications–eastern and western. Within these types, we find subspecies like eastern lowland gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri), mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei), western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), and cross river gorillas (Gorilla gorilla diehli).
- Eastern gorillas are the largest of four gorilla species found in East Africa’s more fabulous mountain forests, In contrast.
- Western gorillas reside in warmer rainforests and swampy lowlands in West and Central Africa.
2: Gorillas Live in Groups Led by a Dominant Silverback Male
Gorillas are highly social creatures. They live in groups called troops, with an average troop size between five and ten gorillas. Each silverback leads the females he mates with before leaving them as young gorillas arrive for maturity. Males migrate with 60% of females after maturation to preserve genetic diversity in future troops.
3: Gorillas Share 98% DNA Similarity With Humans
Yes, gorillas share 98% genetic similarity with humans! These large animals are powerful and exhibit exceptional intelligence and emotional depth. Their genetic code contains 98% similarities with ours, as do chimps and bonobos! Gorillas represent one of our closest living relatives alongside these other large primates.
4: Gorillas Use Various Ways to Communicate
Gorillas have learned to communicate effectively using over 25 vocalizations that convey various feelings and moods.
Koko, an eighteen-year-old western lowland gorilla female, learned over one thousand sign language gestures and understood over two thousand English words by 1978—more than any human child! Koko displayed human-like emotions as she took one of the very first animal selfies ever created! Additionally, she created stunning paintings and took one of the very first animal selfies ever photographed! Koko demonstrated exceptional abilities.
5: Gorillas Are Intelligent Animals That Use Natural Tools
Gorillas are notable for their remarkable intelligence, which allows them to use natural tools. Scientists have observed wild gorillas using sticks for measuring river depth, bamboo ladders for baby gorillas, and even twigs as cutting and insect-catching devices.
6: Gorillas Can Live Over 40 Years
Typically, gorillas live 35-40 years in the wild but can live for more than 50 years in captivity. Fatou, a West African gorilla, was brought to France in 1959 and later acquired by the Berlin Zoo, becoming the world’s oldest gorilla. Recently, Berlin’s Zoo celebrated Fatou’s 67th birthday in 2024.
7: No Two Gorillas Have the Same Nose Print
Yes, much like humans have fingerprints, gorillas also possess distinctive nose prints. Researchers identify individual gorillas based on these unique nose prints – mountain gorillas have some of the most striking ones among all subspecies of gorillas.
8: Gorillas Can Weigh Over 200 KG (440 lbs)
Gorilla weight varies with subspecies. Male gorillas tend to weigh twice as much as their female counterparts, reaching heights of 1.7 meters and weighing 297-485 lb (135-220 kg), whereas adult females stand 1.5 meters and weigh approximately 70-90kg.
Western lowland adult male gorillas stand 1.7 meters and weigh 374 lb (169 kg); their female counterparts reach 1.5 meters in length and weigh only 158 lb (71 kg). Mountain gorillas, on the other hand, may weigh up to 484 lb (220 kg).
Eastern Lowland Gorillas can reach 484 pounds (220 kg), and Females can weigh as much as 176 lb (80 kg). Cross River gorillas, on the other hand, tend to be harder to observe due to their shy nature. Adult males are estimated at approximately 396 pounds (181 kilograms).
Conclusion
Facts about gorillas demonstrate their diversity as an animal species with complex social structures and advanced communication abilities. While classified into Eastern or Western varieties and sharing 98% of their DNA with humans, gorillas possess remarkable intelligence.
Other lesser-known facts about gorillas that highlight their unique adaptations and our connections are genuinely captivating creatures worthy of admiration and protection.
FAQs
What are 5 facts about gorillas?
Here are some interesting facts about gorillas listed below:
- Gorillas come in two varieties – eastern and western.
- Both species live in groups led by silverback males.
- Gorillas share 98% DNA similarity with humans.
- Gorillas utilize various ways of communication with one another.
- Gorillas create intelligent animals who use tools made out of nature for survival.
Are gorillas 20 times stronger than humans?
Gorillas are more potent than humans by over ten times and possess emotional expression capabilities such as laughing, crying, and being happy or sad, although they are not precisely twenty times stronger than us.
What are gorillas famous for?
Gorillas, one of the largest living primates, are revered not only for their strength and size but also because their behavior and emotions resemble human interactions – including laughter and sorrow.
How long does a gorilla live?
Gorillas typically live 35-40 years in the wild in captivity; however, they have been observed living for more than 50 years due to an absence of predators, consistent food sources, and medical support.
How heavy is a gorilla?
Gorilla weight can differ significantly between subspecies, with males generally being twice as heavy as their counterparts in Western lowland environments, weighing 374 lbs (169 kg). In contrast, their counterparts in Eastern lowland ecosystems weigh just under 200 pounds (91 kg). Mountain gorillas may reach 484 pounds (220 kilograms); Eastern lowland ones up to 484 (168kg). Mountain and eastern lowland species could even go as high as 488 (212kg), though female mountain species weigh only up to 484 (kg).
How tall is a gorilla standing up?
Male gorillas can attain heights of over 1.7 meters, while their counterpart females stand a solid 1.5 meters tall.