Gorillas, the largest living primates, are known for their impressive physical stature. Their size is a frequent subject of curiosity, highlighting their powerful presence in natural habitats.
Understanding Gorilla Dimensions
Adult gorillas exhibit significant differences in size between sexes, a characteristic known as sexual dimorphism. Male gorillas, often called silverbacks, weigh between 136 to 227 kilograms (300 to 500 pounds) and stand 1.4 to 1.8 meters (4 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 11 inches) tall. Females are smaller, weighing 68 to 113 kilograms (150 to 250 pounds) and reaching heights of 1.25 to 1.5 meters (4 feet 1 inch to 4 feet 11 inches). Gorillas primarily move by knuckle-walking, though they can stand upright for short distances. Their arm span is broad, ranging from 2.3 to 2.6 meters (7 feet 7 inches to 8 feet 6 inches) for males, longer than their standing height.
Variations Across Gorilla Types
Gorilla size varies among species and subspecies. Eastern gorillas, including the Eastern Lowland (Grauer’s) gorilla and the Mountain gorilla, are larger than Western gorilla species. Eastern Lowland gorillas are the largest gorilla subspecies, with adult males averaging 1.69 meters (5 feet 7 inches) tall and weighing 163 kilograms (359 pounds). Females of this subspecies are 1.60 meters (5 feet 2 inches) tall and weigh 81 kilograms (178 pounds).
Mountain gorillas, another Eastern subspecies, have adult males weighing 150 to 200 kilograms (330 to 440 pounds) and standing 1.7 meters (5 feet 7 inches) tall. Females weigh 70 to 100 kilograms (154 to 220 pounds). In contrast, Western Lowland gorillas, the most widespread and smallest subspecies, have adult males weighing up to 182 kilograms (400 pounds) and standing up to 1.7 meters (5.5 feet) tall. Western Lowland females weigh up to 102 kilograms (225 pounds) and stand up to 1.4 meters (4.5 feet) tall.
How Gorillas Compare to Humans
The scale of a gorilla is apparent when compared to an average human. An adult male gorilla can be nearly twice as tall as an average human and several times heavier. For context, the average American male is 1.75 meters (5 feet 9 inches) tall and weighs 90.2 kilograms (199 pounds), while the average American female is 1.61 meters (5 feet 3 inches) tall and weighs 78 kilograms (171.8 pounds).
Gorillas also possess an arm span that exceeds their standing height. While an average human’s arm span is equal to their height, a gorilla’s arm span can be up to 30 centimeters (1 foot) longer than an adult human male’s. This extended reach, combined with their dense bones and muscular build, contributes to their strength, which is many times more powerful than a human’s.