Gorilla Facts for Kids

A Picture of Gorilla
  • Name: Gorilla
  • Type Species: Troglodytes gorilla
  • Lifespan: Between 35 and 40 years
  • Diet: Herbivorous
  • Range: Africa
  • Height: Between 4 and 6 feet (average)
  • Weight: Between 300 and 400 pounds (average)

18 Gorilla Facts for Kids

  1. Gorillas are large apes that are a members of the Hominiae subfamily and gorilla genus.
  2. The type species for a gorilla is the Troglodytes gorilla.
  3. There are two species of gorillas. They are the eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei) and the western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla).
  4. Gorillas are the largest living primate.
  5. Gorilla can be found in Central Africa.
  6. Gorillas have a lifespan between 35 and 40 years in the wild, in captivity their lifespan can extend beyond 50 years.
  7. The average height of a gorilla is between 4 and 6 feet.
  8. The average weight of a gorilla is between 300 and 400 pounds.
  9. Gorillas are herbivores and eat vegetation.
  10. Gorillas eat so much vegetation that they rarely need to drink water.
  11. Gorillas are social animals and live in groups called troops or bands.
  12. Gorillas reach sexual maturity between seven and eleven years old, with females reaching it faster than males.
  13. The gestation (conception to birth) period for a female gorilla is nine months.
  14. Gorillas are highly intelligent animals. A gorilla named Koko was taught a subset of sign language.
  15. Gorillas have opposable thumbs just like humans.
  16. Gorillas have very similar DNA to humans, about 95-99% depending on what is included in the DNA analysis.
  17. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla) as critically endangered.
  18. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei) as critically endangered.

Additional Resources on Gorillas

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