Home
Fact Categories
Animal Facts
Chemistry Facts
Country Facts
Disease Facts
Dinosaur Facts
Engineering Facts
Famous People Facts
Food Facts
Human Body Facts
Insect Facts
Planet Facts
Plant Facts
Random Facts
Space Facts
Technology Facts
U.S. State Facts
War Facts
Water Facts
Weather Facts
About
Contact
Home
Animal Facts
Gorilla Facts
Gorilla Facts
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
Gorillas are large apes that are a members of the Hominiae subfamily and gorilla genus.
The type species for a gorilla is the Troglodytes gorilla.
There are two species of gorillas. They are the eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei) and the western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla).
Gorillas are the largest living primate.
Gorilla can be found in Central Africa.
Gorillas have a lifespan between 35 and 40 years in the wild, in captivity their lifespan can extend beyond 50 years.
The average height of a gorilla is between 4 and 6 feet.
The average weight of a gorilla is between 300 and 400 pounds.
Gorillas are herbivores and eat vegetation.
Gorillas eat so much vegetation that they rarely need to drink water.
Gorillas are social animals and live in groups called troops or bands.
Gorillas reach sexual maturity between seven and eleven years old, with females reaching it faster than males.
The gestation (conception to birth) period for a female gorilla is nine months.
Gorillas are highly intelligent animals. A gorilla named Koko was taught a subset of sign language.
Gorillas have opposable thumbs just like humans.
Gorillas have very similar DNA to humans, about 95-99% depending on what is included in the DNA analysis.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla) as critically endangered.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei) as critically endangered.
More Animal Facts
Alligator Facts
Bat Facts
Cat Facts
Cheetah Facts
Coyote Facts
Crocodile Facts
Dog Facts
Dolphin Facts
Elephant Facts
Flamingo Facts
Fox Facts
Frog Facts
Giraffe Facts
Gorilla Facts
Hippo Facts
Horse Facts
Jellyfish Facts
Koala Facts
Lion Facts
Monkey Facts
Octopus Facts
Panda Facts
Penguin Facts
Polar Bear Facts
Shark Facts
Sloth Facts
Tiger Facts
Turtle Facts
Whale Facts
Zebra Facts
More Animal Facts
Select another animal species...
Alligator Facts
Bat Facts
Cat Facts
Cheetah Facts
Coyote Facts
Crocodile Facts
Dog Facts
Dolphin Facts
Elephant Facts
Flamingo Facts
Fox Facts
Frog Facts
Giraffe Facts
Gorilla Facts
Hippo Facts
Horse Facts
Jellyfish Facts
Koala Facts
Lion Facts
Monkey Facts
Octopus Facts
Panda Facts
Penguin Facts
Polar Bear Facts
Shark Facts
Sloth Facts
Tiger Facts
Turtle Facts
Whale Facts
Zebra Facts
Gorilla Pictures
A photo of a group of gorillas.
Credit: Andy Rouse / Naturepl.com
A photo of a mother and baby gorilla.
Credit: San Diego Zoo
A close-up picture of a gorilla.
Credit: Gorilla Doctors
Additional Resources on Gorillas
What do gorillas eat? And other Gorilla Facts
– Learn what gorillas eat and other cool facts about gorillas.
Eastern gorilla - Wikipedia
– Learn more about the western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) on the Wikipedia website.
Western gorilla - Wikipedia
– Learn more about the eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei) on the Wikipedia website.
Primate Factsheets: Gorilla (Gorilla)
– A factsheet on gorillas.