Lena Berg
Search results
Pseudogorilla Elliot, 1913. Gorillas are herbivorous, predominantly ground-dwelling great apes that inhabit the tropical forests of equatorial Africa. The genus Gorilla is divided into two species: the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla, and either four or five subspecies.
- Overview
- Primate
- Gorilla
- Physical Characteristics & Behavior
This article is about the Gorilla, a genus of primates that contains the largest of the apes. It provides information on their physical characteristics, behavior and habitat, diet, reproduction and life expectancy. The article also mentions how gorillas are becoming increasingly rare due to human destruction of its forest habitat and hunting for bu...
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The gorilla is one of the closest living relatives to humans; both groups last shared a common ancestor about 10 million years ago. Only the chimpanzee and the bonobo are closer. Most authorities recognize two species and four subspecies of gorillas live only in tropical forests of equatorial Africa.
The gorilla is robust, powerful with black skin and hair, large nostrils, small ears, prominent brow ridges; males are twice as heavy as females with height 1.7 meters (5.5 feet) weight 135-220 kg (300-485 pounds), active during day time primarily terrestrial usually walking on all four limbs called knuckle walking; diet vegetarian leaves stalks sh...
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Learn about gorillas, our closest cousins after chimpanzees and bonobos, and their threats and conservation efforts. Find out how WWF protects gorilla habitat, reduces hunting and disease, and supports symbolic adoption.
Gorillas are like to eat roots, shoots, fruit, bark, and wild celery! Learn more amazing facts about the gorilla in this video from National Geographic Kids....
- 2 min
- 3.4M
- Nat Geo Kids
- There are two species of gorilla: eastern and western. Each species splits into two groups, known as subspecies. The four gorilla subspecies are eastern lowland gorillas, eastern mountain gorillas, western lowland gorillas, and western cross river gorillas!
- Gorillas are very social animals, who live together in groups. Gorillas spend a lot of time moving around their habitat in family groups known as ‘troops’.
- Gorillas can weigh over 200kg and stand as tall as an average human! Gorillas are mostly herbivores, which means they only eat plants – up to 30kg of them per day!
- Adult males are known as ‘silverbacks’ These powerful males can be more than 10 times stronger than an average human – they can tear down banana trees, bend iron bars and bite with more power than a lion!
Learn about the two species and four subspecies of gorillas, the largest living primate and one of humans closest living relatives. Find out about their social structure, life cycle, communication, diet, and threats.
Learn about the endangered subspecies of eastern gorilla that lives in the mountains of central Africa. Find out how they are adapted, social, and threatened by human activities.
