Twelve gorilla facts, fact-checked
Gorillas are the largest living primates and among the most misunderstood. Full profile in our gorilla guide.
1. About 98% shared DNA with humans
Only chimpanzees and bonobos are closer relatives to us.
2. They are essentially vegetarian
Leaves, stems, pith, bark and fruit, plus incidental insects. The enormous build is powered by vegetation.
3. Nose prints are unique
The pattern of wrinkles above a gorilla's nostrils identifies the individual, and researchers use it exactly as fingerprints are used.
4. Silverback means adult male
Males develop a saddle of silver hair at around 12 years. It is a maturity marker, not a species or a rank.
5. Chest beating is a size signal
Cupped hands on an air-sac-backed chest produce a hollow knock that carries over a kilometre. Recordings show larger males beat at lower frequencies — the sound honestly advertises size.
6. Groups are families
Typically one silverback with several females and their offspring. The silverback mediates conflict and decides where the group travels.
7. They build a new nest every night
Each gorilla constructs a fresh sleeping nest from vegetation, on the ground or in trees.
8. Infants develop like ours, only faster
Gorilla infants crawl at about two months and walk at around nine, roughly twice the pace of a human child.
9. They are quiet, not aggressive
Charges are almost always bluff. Gorillas avoid conflict, and the aggressive reputation comes from early travellers' accounts rather than from behaviour.
10. Mountain gorillas are increasing
Against the trend, mountain gorilla numbers have risen through intensive protection, veterinary care and community-linked tourism — enough to move them from Critically Endangered to Endangered in 2018.
11. Human disease is a real threat
Sharing so much of our biology means gorillas catch our respiratory infections. Distance rules and mask requirements at tourism sites exist for the gorillas' benefit.
12. Two species, four subspecies
Eastern and western gorillas, each with two subspecies. Both species are Critically Endangered except the mountain gorilla, now Endangered.
Read the full gorilla wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.
