Gorillas (Gorilla genus) are the largest living primates, belonging to the great ape family alongside humans, chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans. Native exclusively to the dense forests of Central Africa, they are divided into two species: the Eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei) and the Western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla), each with two subspecies.
These massive herbivores can weigh up to 430 pounds (males) and stand over 5.6 feet tall when upright, yet they are remarkably peaceful, spending most of their day foraging, resting, and nurturing family bonds. Their dark fur, muscular build, and expressive faces make them icons of strength and intelligence, sharing about 98% of their DNA with humans.
Gorillas live in stable social groups called troops, typically led by a dominant silverback—an adult male named for the striking silver-gray saddle on his back. A troop usually consists of 5–30 individuals: the silverback, several adult females, their offspring, and sometimes subordinate blackback males.
The silverback acts as protector, mediator, and decision-maker, guiding the group to food sources and defending against rare threats like leopards or rival males. Females often transfer between troops during adolescence, preventing inbreeding, while young gorillas learn survival skills through play and observation. These tight-knit units highlight the emotional depth and cooperative nature of gorilla society.
Despite their fearsome appearance, gorillas are primarily vegetarian, consuming up to 50 pounds of vegetation daily—leaves, shoots, stems, fruit, and bark. Western lowland gorillas eat more fruit, while mountain gorillas rely heavily on foliage like wild celery and thistle. They play a critical role as mega-gardeners of the forest, dispersing seeds through their dung and clearing paths that allow sunlight to reach the forest floor.
Gorillas rarely drink water, getting hydration from the plants they eat. Their foraging behavior varies by habitat, with lowland gorillas traveling farther in search of seasonal fruit, while highland populations stay in smaller ranges.
All gorilla subspecies are endangered or critically endangered, with a total wild population under 400,000—mostly Western lowland gorillas—and fewer than 6,000 Eastern mountain gorillas. Threats include poaching (for bushmeat and trophies), habitat destruction from logging and mining, and disease—especially Ebola, which wiped out a third of gorillas in some areas in the 1990s.
Conservation efforts, including protected parks like Virunga and Bwindi, anti-poaching patrols, and eco-tourism, have stabilized some populations. Researchers like Dian Fossey pioneered long-term studies that revealed gorillas’ gentle nature, helping shift global perception from “king of the jungle” to vulnerable kin.
Types of Gorillas
Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)
The Western Lowland Gorilla is the most numerous and widespread of all gorilla types. They inhabit the dense rainforests and swampy regions of Central Africa, including Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea.
- Physical Traits: They are slightly smaller and lighter than other gorilla subspecies, with brownish-gray coats and reddish crowns.
- Behavior: Western lowland gorillas are generally peaceful, living in family groups led by a dominant male silverback. They communicate using gestures, facial expressions, and a variety of vocalizations.
- Diet: Their diet mainly consists of fruits, leaves, stems, and occasional insects.
- Conservation Status: Despite being the most common gorilla, they are critically endangered due to poaching, habitat destruction, and diseases like Ebola.
Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli)
The Cross River Gorilla is the rarest and most endangered gorilla subspecies, living in the mountainous forests along the Nigeria–Cameroon border.
- Physical Traits: They are similar in appearance to western lowland gorillas but tend to have smaller skulls, shorter palates, and subtle differences in facial structure.
- Behavior: Cross River gorillas are very shy and avoid human contact. They live in small, isolated groups that make conservation efforts challenging.
- Habitat: They prefer rugged, forested hills and high-altitude areas.
- Conservation Status: Fewer than 300 individuals remain, making them one of the most critically endangered primates on Earth. Protection of their habitat and anti-poaching measures are vital for their survival.
Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei)
The Mountain Gorilla is perhaps the most famous type, thanks to conservation efforts and studies by researchers such as Dian Fossey. They live in the high-altitude rainforests of the Virunga Mountains (Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda.
- Physical Traits: They are the largest and hairiest of all gorillas, with long, thick fur adapted to cold mountain climates. Adult males can weigh over 200 kilograms (440 pounds).
- Behavior: Mountain gorillas are gentle giants, known for strong family bonds and emotional intelligence. They live in cohesive groups led by a dominant silverback male.
- Diet: They mainly feed on leaves, shoots, and stems, with very little fruit in their high-altitude environment.
- Conservation Status: Once on the brink of extinction, their population has rebounded to around 1,000 individuals, thanks to intensive conservation and tourism programs. They remain endangered, but their recovery is a major success story in wildlife protection.
Eastern Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri)
Also known as the Grauer’s Gorilla, this is the largest of all gorilla subspecies. They inhabit the tropical forests of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Physical Traits: Eastern lowland gorillas have massive bodies, broad chests, and dark, jet-black fur. Adult males can exceed 250 kilograms (550 pounds).
- Behavior: Like other gorillas, they live in groups led by a dominant silverback. They are highly intelligent and have been observed showing empathy, problem-solving, and social cooperation.
- Diet: They eat a diverse range of vegetation, including fruits, leaves, bark, and bamboo shoots.
- Conservation Status: Their numbers have drastically declined due to civil unrest, habitat destruction, and hunting. Fewer than 4,000 remain, making them critically endangered.
Conclusion
Gorillas are the largest living primates and some of the most intelligent and gentle creatures in the animal kingdom. They belong to the genus Gorilla and are divided into two main species — the Eastern Gorilla (Gorilla beringei) and the Western Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla). Each species is further divided into two subspecies, making a total of four recognized types of gorillas.