Gorillas are frequently perceived as powerful, imposing creatures, leading some to question if their diet includes meat. However, gorillas are primarily herbivores. While they possess impressive strength and large canines, these attributes are not indicative of a carnivorous lifestyle. Their feeding habits center around consuming a diverse array of vegetation found in their forest habitats.
A Plant-Based Diet
Gorillas consume a wide variety of plant species, with their diet varying depending on subspecies and the seasonality of available foods. Mountain gorillas, for instance, primarily feed on leaves, shoots, and stems, which constitute about 86% of their intake, along with roots, flowers, and a small amount of fruit. They have been observed consuming over 142 plant species. Western lowland gorillas, found in tropical and subtropical forests, tend to have a higher fruit intake, with fruit making up around 67% of their diet, supplemented by leaves, seeds, and stems.
They forage for various plant parts, including leaves, stems, bamboo shoots, bark, and fruits. They are selective foragers, often eating only specific portions of plants, such as the pith, stalk, or roots. Gorillas rarely drink water directly, as they obtain sufficient hydration from the succulent vegetation and morning dew they consume. An adult male gorilla can consume over 18 kilograms (40 pounds) of vegetation daily to meet its energy needs.
Why Gorillas Are Not Carnivores
Gorillas possess biological and physiological adaptations that align with their herbivorous diet. Their digestive systems are designed for processing tough plant fibers. Gorillas have large stomachs and elongated intestines, including a sizable cecum and colon, which facilitate the prolonged fermentation of cellulose by gut bacteria. This microbial process is crucial for breaking down fibrous plant material and extracting nutrients.
While gorillas have prominent canines, these teeth are not primarily used for tearing flesh. Instead, their canines serve for display, defense, and aiding in breaking down tough vegetation. Their dental structure also includes large molars and premolars, which are well-suited for grinding and chewing fibrous plant matter. Gorillas lack the short digestive tracts and sharply pointed teeth found in animals that consume significant amounts of meat.
How Diet Shapes Gorillas
The plant-based diet of gorillas is directly linked to their impressive physical characteristics, including their large muscle mass and strength. Despite popular misconceptions that meat is essential for building significant muscle, gorillas demonstrate that a high-fiber, nutrient-rich plant diet can support such development. The abundant vegetation they consume provides the necessary proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Their specialized digestive system efficiently extracts these nutrients, converting them into muscle mass.
Gorillas compensate for the lower caloric density of plant foods by consuming large volumes of vegetation daily. This constant foraging and digestion, combined with physical activity like climbing and breaking apart vegetation, contributes to their muscular build. Their ability to thrive and develop immense strength on a vegetarian diet highlights the remarkable adaptability of their physiology.