10 facts about gorillas

Majestic, intelligent, and deeply social, gorillas are among the most captivating animals on Earth. On 24th September, the world comes together to celebrate World Gorilla Day, shining a spotlight on these extraordinary primates, the largest living members of the ape family. Admired for their strength, empathy, and strong family bonds, gorillas continue to inspire awe and respect across the globe. To mark this special day, we’re sharing ten fascinating facts about gorillas that showcase just how remarkable they truly are. Whether you dream of exploring the lush rainforests they call home or simply want to deepen your knowledge of these endangered giants, join us as we celebrate World Gorilla Day. 

Gorillas are divided into two main species: eastern gorillas and western gorillas. While they share many traits, there are key differences in their appearance, habitats, and diets. Eastern gorillas are generally larger, with darker coats and longer hair. Mountain gorillas, a subspecies, are specially adapted to colder, high-altitude environments with their thick, insulating fur. They inhabit the forests of Central Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda, and are divided into two subspecies: the mountain gorilla and the eastern lowland gorilla. Their diet is mainly leaf-based, consisting of stems, shoots, and foliage. Western gorillas, by contrast, live in the tropical rainforests of West and Central Africa, across countries such as Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are slightly smaller than their eastern relatives, with brownish-grey coats that often appear lighter and sometimes feature a distinctive reddish or auburn crest. Their diet contains a higher proportion of fruit, complemented by leaves and other vegetation. 

Just as humans can be identified by their fingerprints, every gorilla has a unique noseprint. The wrinkles and ridges across their noses form distinct patterns that make it possible to tell one individual apart from another. Researchers, scientists, and conservationists rely on these markings to monitor gorillas, learning more about their family groups, behaviours and movements. Instead of taking physical moulds, they usually capture clear photographs from a safe distance, allowing them to study each gorilla without disturbing it. 

Gorillas hold the crown as the largest living primates on Earth, renowned for their sheer size and immense strength. Though the title of ‘largest ape in history’ belongs to the extinct Gigantopithecus, gorillas remain the biggest of the species alive today. Adult males, known as silverbacks, can reach heights of between 4 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 11 inches when standing upright and typically weigh between 300 and 500 pounds, making them truly imposing figures in the animal kingdom. It is reported that adult females are usually around half the size of males, standing shorter and weighing less. 

Gorillas are among the most intelligent animals on Earth, displaying cognitive abilities that closely mirror our own. They have developed a rich communication system, with researchers identifying more than 25 different vocalisations used to convey everything from aggression and alarm to contentment and group coordination. Beyond sounds, these creatures also rely on body language, facial expressions, and gestures to connect. In captivity, some gorillas have even been taught sign language, which highlights their ability to understand. Their intelligence extends to problem-solving and creativity as well. Gorillas are capable of recognising themselves in mirrors, a sign of self-awareness, and they sometimes use tools to accomplish tasks, from stripping branches to reach food, to creating makeshift hats, clothing, or coverings from leaves and other foliage. Many scientists also believe gorillas possess a form of ‘theory of mind’, meaning they may be able to grasp that others have thoughts, feelings, and perspectives different from their own. This extraordinary blend of communication, emotion and ingenuity makes gorillas not just powerful creatures of the jungle, but some of the most fascinating minds in the animal kingdom.  

Thanks to their strong emotional intelligence, gorillas are able to feel a wide range of emotions and build deep, lasting ties within their family groups. These incredible creatures have been known to laugh, play, show affection, and express sorrow. They have also been observed grieving the loss of members within their troop. In these moments, gorillas may remain close to the body, touching, licking, or smelling it, while showing clear signs of distress. Some withdraw socially, while others display changes in posture or vocalisations that suggest mourning behaviour. It’s also believed that adult gorillas possess the ability to empathise, too, as they have been seen destroying snares and poaching traps in the past. The report suggests that the apes could have simply avoided these grounds, but instead they decided to work together to ensure that they were dismantled and other gorillas and animals were not hurt and killed. 

As parents, gorillas are known to be incredibly nurturing and protective of their young. Mothers form powerful bonds with their infants and provide continuous care from birth until weaning, which usually takes place between three and four years of age. During this period, babies are entirely dependent on their mothers for nursing, warmth, and protection. Typically, a mother gives birth to a single infant with a gestation period of approximately eight and a half months, with twins being rare. For the first six months, mother and baby remain in constant contact, and even as the infant grows, the two stay closely connected until weaning. The silverback, or gorilla father, plays a vital role within the family group. As leader and protector, he guides the troop, ensures access to food, and teaches essential survival skills. Silverbacks also act as role models for the young, demonstrating the behaviours needed to one day lead a troop of their own. If a mother dies, it is not uncommon for a silverback to step in as the primary caregiver, offering protection and comfort to the orphaned infant. Despite their imposing size, silverbacks are often gentle with youngsters, joining in play and even engaging in rough-and-tumble games. Importantly, child-rearing is not the mother’s responsibility alone, as the entire family group contributes to nurturing and protecting the young. 

Gorillas have exceptionally strong, muscular arms that are longer than their legs, a feature that supports both their immense strength and their distinctive way of moving. They walk on all fours, using their knuckles to bear weight, which allows them to travel efficiently and with surprising speed. Their long arms aren’t just useful on the ground; they also give gorillas the ability to climb with ease and gather food from trees. This adaptation is a legacy of their arboreal ancestors, ideally suited for life both among the branches and on the forest floor. 

Primarily herbivores, these great apes have a diet that includes a wide variety of plant matter such as leaves, shoots, stems, roots, bark, and fruits. As opportunistic feeders, they adapt their meals to the changing seasons and whatever their environment provides. While vegetation makes up the majority of their nutrition, they will occasionally consume small insects like ants and termites to supplement their protein intake. They spend several hours each day foraging, carefully selecting and stripping vegetation with impressive precision. This mostly plant-based diet not only fuels their powerful bodies and strong muscles but also helps maintain the balance of their forest habitats, as gorillas play an essential role in seed dispersal and ecosystem health. 

From birth to adulthood, gorillas progress through several clearly defined life stages. When first born, they are classed as infants until around three to four years of age. From there, they grow into juveniles and are considered adults at roughly eight years old. Between the ages of eight and twelve, males are known as blackbacks, before developing the distinctive silver hair across their backs and hips from around twelve years onwards, earning them the title of silverback. In the wild, gorillas typically live for 35 to 40 years, though this can be cut short by threats such as leopards, crocodiles, poaching, disease, and the continuing loss of their forest habitats. In contrast, gorillas living in protected environments such as zoos or sanctuaries, where they have access to regular food and veterinary care, often live significantly longer. In these conditions, they may reach 50 years old, with some individuals even surpassing this age. 

Tragically, every species and subspecies of gorilla is currently listed as endangered or critically endangered. Their survival is challenged by a combination of threats, most of which are caused by human activity. Habitat loss due to logging, agriculture, and mining continues to shrink the forests they depend on. Poaching remains a serious issue, with gorillas hunted or captured illegally. They are also highly vulnerable to diseases, particularly those transmitted by humans, which can spread rapidly through gorilla populations. Climate change adds another layer of pressure, altering the availability of food and disrupting delicate forest ecosystems. Conservation efforts are ongoing, from protected national parks and anti-poaching patrols to eco-tourism projects that provide local communities with sustainable livelihoods.