
- 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.
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.