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All things Gorilla!

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Gorillas are just plain cool...

What is it about gorillas that captivates so many people? Do we feel a connection with them because their DNA is 98-99% identical to ours? Or maybe it's that look in their eye that says there's something more there than we will ever understand. Whatever the reason you have stumbled upon this lens today, I hope you enjoy your stay at All Things Gorilla and maybe have a laugh or two while you're here - it's on us!

Gorilla Tours...

Feeling a little frisky? Why not go on a gorilla tour?

GorillaTours.com specializes in gorilla tracking and can organize affordable but unforgettable tours and excursions from 3 to 16 days in Uganda and Rwanda, taking care of everything for you, including the gorilla permits.

Gorilla Collins...

I've been waiting for this moment, for all my life...

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Various Gorilla Apparel for Sale.

40 Glorious Gorilla Facts

  • Gorillas in the wild rarely drink water. This is because the plants they eat have so much moisture in them; sometimes almost half the plant is water.
  • Gorillas can be very fussy eaters, eating only certain parts of plants. They may even stack the parts they don't want in a neat pile off to the side.
  • A gorilla's diet includes leaves, stems, roots, wild celery, the pup and bark of trees, bamboo shoots, ginger, tapioca, wild banana, and seasonal fruits. Altogether, gorillas will eat more than 100 types of plants.
  • An adult male gorilla will eat more than 40 lb. of vegetation per day.
  • An adult female gorilla will eat approximately 27 lb. of vegetation per day.
  • The Bwindi Forest is part of the Virunga Mountain range and is one of the most biological diverse areas on earth. It has also been designated a world heritage site.
  • The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, located in south-west Uganda, contains half of the world's population of mountain gorillas.
  • The population of mountain gorillas is estimated at about 600 animals. Mountain gorillas are close to extinction.
  • Mountain gorillas inhabit the cloud forests up to 11,000 feet at the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  • The population of eastern lowland gorillas is estimated at 2,500 animals in the wild.
  • The total population of wild gorillas is estimated at about 50,000 animals. The vast majority of these are western lowland gorillas.
  • Gorilla communication involves vocalizations, gestures, body postures, facial expressions, and odors.
  • Scientists have heard as many as 22 different vocalizations made by gorillas.
  • A gorilla will crouch low and approach from the side to show submission.
  • An aggressive or confident gorilla will walk directly, stand, and/or beat his chest.
  • Beginning at about four months of age, young gorillas will ride on their mother's back. The mother will carry him in this way for two years or more.
  • At night, unweaned infants will sleep with their mother in her night nest.
  • Gorillas are found in west central and east central Africa. They prefer tropical forest, often secondary or re-growing forest along forest edges with an abundance of low edible vegetation.
  • Western lowland gorillas inhabit the tropical forests in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Nigeria.
  • Eastern lowland gorillas lived in tropical forests up to 8,000 feet in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and along the border with Uganda and Rwanda.
  • A gorilla troop consists of from 2-30 animals. Western lowland gorilla troops are usually smaller, averaging about five animals.
  • The strongest male in a gorilla troop is the leader, or silverback. The name silverback comes from the fact that he is older and has white hair across his lower back.
  • The silverback has several responsibilities within the troop such as protection, determining where and when to travel, when it is time to feed, and when and where to build night nests.
  • Like lions, a new male gorilla may kill the youngsters of females to bring them into estrus.
  • A threat display from a silverback includes hooting, standing up, beating their chests, and throwing plants around wildly.
  • Despite their fierce threat display, gorillas are not usually aggressive, and would rather scare you off than fight you.
  • A silverback may also have several assistants called blackbacks.
  • For gorillas, the main event of the day is eating. Usually the first part of the day is spent eating, then a nap to avoid the heat of the day, and back to more eating until the sun goes down.
  • Gorillas can walk for only short distances upright. They sometimes climb, but spend most of their time on the ground. When traveling they walk on all fours, and use the knuckles of their front hands as feet.
  • Gorillas are the largest ape in the order primates.
  • When you go to a zoo and see a gorilla, you are probably looking at a western lowland gorrila. Western lowland gorillas are the most common in captivity.
  • The species gorilla has been divided into three regional types western lowland, eastern lowland, and mountain.
  • The average lifespan of a gorilla in the wild is about 35 years, but in captivity they may live as long as 54 years.
  • An adult male gorilla in the wild weighs between 300-450 lb. Females normally weigh half as much as males, averaging around 200 pounds.
  • In captivity, gorillas usually weigh more; males for example can weigh up to 600 lb.
  • The zoo gorilla that holds the world record for weight was more than 750 lb.
  • An adult male gorilla standing on two legs is between 5.5-6 ft. tall.
  • A gorilla's arms, while longer than a human's, are shorter than those of an orangutan or gibbon.
  • Like other apes, gorillas have no tail.
  • The gorilla moves on all fours with its knuckles on the ground, but its weight is supported by its feet.

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The Denver Gorilla Run

so...many....gorillas...

The Denver Gorilla Run is not just your normal charity fun run. Everyone who takes part receives a full gorilla costume and helps raise funds for the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund, the international charity working to save the world's last remaining mountain gorillas and keeping Dian Fossey's dream alive for the past 24 years.

Gorilla Ring

This Sterling Silver Gorilla Ring captures the expression of a silverback gorilla. People wear this ring because it is pure fun. It is a piece of art, sculpture and jewelry all rolled into one. A ring appreciated by animal lovers, kids and bikers. Available in large and small versions. Great as a couples ring set. Keeps everyone smiling.
Also available in 14K Gold.

Gorillas Gifts on Amazon

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Gorilla Guestbook...

Leave some feedback...

  • tom-macgregor May 19, 2012 @ 4:53 am | delete
    I went out to see the Gorillas in Rwanda and it is a truly amazing experience. We were within a few feet of them and my brother was even thrown to the ground by one. Scary moment because they are such powerful creatures. But awesome day.
  • mihgasper Apr 26, 2012 @ 6:18 pm | delete
    They are scary and cute at the same time:-)
  • The_Health_Lady Sep 17, 2010 @ 12:34 pm | delete
    Interesting lens. I have never heard of the Denver Gorilla run - you learn something new every day.
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Gorilla by Brenda LaFleur, Lake Charles, LA 

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