Facts about Gorillas

Top Gorilla Facts

There are many amazing facts about gorillas, some you are sure to already known and others you will be surprised to learn about. There are also plenty of myths about them that have circulated for so long that they are often confused for the facts. Now you will have the right information to work with instead of those myths that just don’t seem to go away.

The DNA of gorillas is very similar to humans – about 98% the same. This is more than any other animal in the world.

Gorillas often interact with others from other species and sub species. For the most part these types of interactions are very amicable.

When male gorillas are about 12 years of age they can develop silver coloring on their back. This is where the name silverback comes from but many people assume that is a species of gorilla but it isn’t.

A group of gorillas that live together are called a troop.

Silverbacks are the mature males in troops. They are very kind hearted though, and will even care for orphaned offspring on their own.

When the dominant male in a troop dies or is killed, then the troop will go their separate ways and find new groups to be a part of. However, if a younger male challenges the leader and wins then he becomes the new leader and the troop stays intact.

Gorillas aren’t meat eaters, that is a common myth.

They walk with their weight on the knuckles.

It is important to keep gorillas active when they are in captivity or they will end up suffering from various health problems including obesity.

Just about every single gorilla in the world has the same blood type – Type B.

Every gorilla has a unique fingerprint just like humans.

Gorillas are considered to be one of the most intelligent animals in the world. They are able to process information and to think independently.

Gorillas move every day for food and for exploration. They never sleep in the same place two nights in a row!

In spite of their very large size, for the most part gorillas are very calm animals.

They will never sleep in the same nest twice. They make a new one when they nap in the afternoon and before they sleep for the night.

Mother gorillas will continue to carry their offspring for about 1 ½ years even though they are able to walk when they are 5 months old.

Gorillas can walk upright but prefer to do so on their knuckles.

They have four fingers and a thumb just like humans.

Gorillas don’t have tails as many other primates do.

They are able to see in color. All of their senses are very highly developed.

They are able to grasp items with both their hands and their feet.

They are migrational animals, moving in search of food at the command of the leader. They may only move a short distance each day or they can travel several miles depending on what the food sources available happen to be.

The mortality rate for gorillas is about 40% during the first two years of life. They are often killed due to injuries, becoming orphaned, or various types of illnesses that can rapidly spread through the troop.

The grooming process is one that is very calming for gorillas, and they can go into a trance like state during it for hours and hours.