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Gorilla
The largest of the great apes — a powerful, gentle forest giant of central Africa, and one of our closest living relatives.
How to spot it
The biggest living primate — a heavily built ape with a broad chest, long arms and a jet-black coat. Mature males, called silverbacks, grow a saddle of silver-grey hair across the back and can stand over 1.7 m and weigh around 200 kg.
Where it lives
The rainforests and mountain forests of central Africa. There are two species — the western gorilla of the Congo basin, and the eastern gorilla, which includes the mountain gorillas of the Virunga volcanoes and Bwindi.
What it eats
Largely a herbivore — leaves, stems, shoots, bark and fruit — eating huge quantities each day. Lowland gorillas take more fruit; mountain gorillas rely more on leaves and stems, with the odd insect.
Behaviour & life
Highly intelligent and social, living in family troops led by a dominant silverback who guards the group. Gorillas share almost all of their DNA with humans, use simple tools, and communicate with calls, gestures and chest-beating.
Conservation
Both species are Endangered or Critically Endangered from habitat loss, poaching and disease — though mountain gorilla numbers have edged up under intense protection. In India, gorillas are not kept and are seen only in wildlife films.
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