Gorillas are the largest living primates of the ape family. An adult male can be over 1.80 meters high and weigh 200-350 kilograms. The wingspan of its outstretched arms is 2 to 2.75 meters, and it is as strong as 4-8 strong men together. An adult female is about half the size.
Like humans, gorillas have two legs and two arms, 10 fingers and 10 toes, small ears on both sides of the head, forward-looking eyes and 32 teeth. However, their arms are longer and more muscular than their legs, and their big toes look like thumbs. Males develop a silver-grey back coat at about 15 years of age.
Gorillas normally move in a four-footed ankle gait. They can also walk alone on their legs, but rarely do so. If they do, they usually want to signal aggression or excitement and can also hit their chest.
Gorillas can live over 50 years. Newborn gorillas are very small and weigh only about 2 kilos. They are helpless like human babies and dependent on their mother for at least the first 3 years. Even when they grow up, they usually stay with their family.
Gorillas are very intelligent and feel similar feelings as we do: Love, hate, fear, sorrow, joy, greed, generosity, pride, shame, empathy and jealousy. They laugh when you tickle them and cry when they are sad or hurt. Gorillas cry loudly but without tears.
