Ever notice yourself humming when you’re enjoying a meal? Gorillas do something pretty similar. Gorillas hum and sing while they eat to show they’re content and to let their group know it’s mealtime—especially when a dominant silverback wants to make it clear that it’s time to eat. This simple sound lets them share their mood…
You probably mean Harambe, the western lowland gorilla that the Cincinnati Zoo shot in 2016 after a young child fell into his enclosure. Harambe’s death grabbed headlines everywhere and set off heated debates about zoo safety, animal care, and just how people act around wildlife. Let’s look at which other well-known gorillas have died lately,…
Ever heard a sharp clap echo through the forest and wondered what’s going on? Gorillas clap their hands to grab attention, warn about danger, or call out to family members across the distance. When a gorilla claps, it usually means something like “Hey, look here!” or “Pay attention!” to the rest of the group. Clapping…
When you read that question, your mind probably jumped to a wild, almost cartoonish brawl. Honestly, twelve unarmed men almost certainly couldn’t overpower a full-grown silverback gorilla—not safely, anyway. That’s just the blunt truth, considering how much stronger and faster a gorilla is, and how risky that kind of encounter would be. Stick around and…
You might actually smell a gorilla before you spot one—a strong, musky scent that a silverback turns up when he wants to warn others or show off his strength. That smell is real, humans can pick it up easily, and it plays a big part in how gorillas communicate. As you read on, you’ll find…
You might think a smile looks friendly, but with gorillas, things work differently. Don’t smile or stare directly at a gorilla — they see bare teeth and steady eye contact as a challenge or threat, and that can make them act defensively. If you’re planning to see gorillas in the wild or at a sanctuary,…
You might think a gorilla’s smile means what yours does, but honestly, things get weird in the wild. Gorillas have a whole range of facial expressions—some show they’re being playful or maybe feeling submissive, while others? Well, they’re warning you to back off. When a gorilla bares its teeth, that can signal aggression or a…
Ever seen a gorilla shuffle sideways and thought, “What’s going on there?” It does look a bit odd, right? Gorillas often shift their weight and angle their steps to keep their balance. They’re also protecting their hands and wrists as they move. Mostly, gorillas run sideways to stay stable and avoid putting too much pressure…
Ever pictured a wild face-off and wondered if a gorilla could actually hurt a grizzly? A gorilla might injure a grizzly in rare situations, but the bear’s bigger size, crushing bite, and brutal claws mean the gorilla’s chances of a knockout or kill are slim. Let’s dig into muscle strength, bite power, reach, and defenses…
You might imagine gorillas have nails just for looks, but honestly, those nails do a lot more. Gorillas rely on their fingernails to grasp, groom, and handle food every single day. Gorilla fingernails shield the sensitive skin at their fingertips. They help them pick up tiny items, scratch itches, and even groom their family members….