In fact, the average gorilla is roughly six times stronger than the average human. They usually walk on the knuckles of their hands, which is appropriately referred to as “knuckle walking.” Though they are capable of walking on two legs, they can only do so for short distances, up to about 10 feet.ħ) The gorilla’s strength is the stuff of legend, especially when it comes to the upper body. Gorilla weight also varies by species: The smaller Western Gorilla weighs 150 to 400 pounds, whereas the biggest gorillas (Eastern Lowland) can weigh up to 550 pounds in the wild.Ħ) Gorillas’ arms are longer than their legs, which makes it easier for them to walk on all fours. Gorillas’ hands even have unique fingerprints, like humans (and koalas).ĥ) Though gorilla size varies by species, most adults measure somewhere between four and six feet tall when standing on their hind legs. Gorillas are very intelligent, and often prove it with their ability to laugh, express sadness, and convey other emotions.Ĥ) Gorillas can learn sign language, utilize rudimentary tools, and even make some of their own tools. Eastern Lowland ( Gorilla beringei graueri) and Mountain ( Gorilla beringei beringei) are the two eastern subspecies. Western gorilla subspecies tend to be brownish-gray, while eastern gorilla subspecies tend to be blacker.ģ) After chimpanzees and bonobos, gorillas are the closest primate to humans (or any animal, for that matter) in terms of their genetic make up. Western Lowland ( Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and Cross River ( Gorilla gorilla diehli) are the two western species. The scientific name for Eastern Gorillas is Gorilla berinngei, and the scientific name for Western Gorillas is Gorilla gorilla. Amongst various other differences, monkeys have tails while apes do not.Ģ) There are two gorilla species: Eastern and Western. Despite often being referred to as monkeys, they are not. In fact, they are considered the largest primates in the world. Interesting Facts about Gorilla Habitatīaby Gorilla in Rwanda, photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett Basic Gorilla Factsġ) Gorillas are primates, an order of mammals that also includes monkeys, apes, tarsiers, lemurs, and humans.READ MORE: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda So here’s a look at 50 interesting facts about gorillas, including trivial tidbits about different types of gorillas, why gorillas are endangered, gorilla conservation efforts, and much more. GGT founders Bret Love and Mary Gabbett describe their time in Rwanda’s Mountain Gorilla habitat as life-changing. Rules state that visitors must maintain a safe distance, but the gorillas don’t always follow the rules. Gorilla watching trips are an incredible experience, with baby gorillas clinging to their mothers as silverback gorillas watch over them protectively. This allows a group of up to 8 people to spend an hour with a gorilla family in their native habitat. ![]() ![]() Travelers pay anywhere from $600 (in Uganda) to $1500 (in Rwanda) for a gorilla trekking permit. So, with interest in the species at an all-time high, perhaps it’s no surprise that the popularity of gorilla safaris has surged dramatically in recent years. A 17-year-old silverback gorilla named Harambe was shot in the Cincinnati Zoo after a three-year-old boy fell into his enclosure. The incident instigated a huge amount of public debate, and drew further media attention to the increasingly endangered species. In 2016 gorillas were dominating headlines again, but for all the wrong reasons. By the time she passed away in 2018 at age 46, Koko had learned to adapt and combine words to express herself. Koko taught from an early age to communicate with American sign language, could use over 1,000 signs and understand over 2,000 spoken (English) words. More recently, Project Koko turned a young female gorilla into an international celebrity. Fossey was not only a trailblazer in primatology and gorilla research, but she’s widely credited with habituating the Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda to human presence. The 1988 film Gorillas in the Mist showcased the groundbreaking work of Dian Fossey, a highly controversial figure in the world of gorilla conservation. These gentle giants have loomed large in the public consciousness for nearly a century, ever since a fictionalized version of the great ape, King Kong, began appearing in movies in 1933. They even have impressive language skills! The gorilla lifespan can be up to 50 to 60 years in captivity (though they tend to die younger in the wild). They are intelligent, interactive, and identifiable. Like us, gorillas’ hands have opposable thumbs, and they can walk upright on two legs. Much of our cultural fascination with gorillas centers around just how human they can seem. ![]() The largest of the primate species, gorillas rank amongst the most recognized and the most endangered species in the world.
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