Apes are a diverse group of primates, showcasing a wide range of sizes, behaviors, and adaptations. This article identifies the biggest living ape, exploring its impressive physical attributes and life in the wild.
The World’s Largest Ape
The gorilla holds the distinction of being the largest living primate on Earth. This genus is broadly divided into two species: the Eastern gorilla and the Western gorilla, each comprising several subspecies. Among these, the Eastern gorilla, particularly the Eastern Lowland Gorilla (also known as Grauer’s gorilla), is generally recognized as the largest subspecies, demonstrating remarkable size and strength.
Unpacking Their Size
Gorillas exhibit significant sexual dimorphism, with males being substantially larger than females. Adult male Eastern Lowland Gorillas can weigh between 150 to 209 kilograms (331 to 461 pounds) and stand approximately 1.69 to 1.96 meters (5 feet 7 inches to 6 feet 5 inches) tall when standing upright, while females are considerably smaller, typically weighing around 70 to 90 kilograms (154 to 198 pounds) and reaching heights of about 1.5 meters (4 feet 9 inches). These large males, known as “silverbacks” due to the silver-gray hair that develops across their backs and upper thighs with maturity, possess broad chests and powerful arms. Their arm span can extend up to 2.6 meters (8 feet 6 inches), significantly longer than their legs, reflecting their evolutionary history. Gorillas also have impressive upper body strength, estimated to be six times more powerful than an adult human, supported by a robust skeletal structure, including a prominent sagittal crest in males, which anchors the large jaw muscles needed for their fibrous diet.
Habitat and Lifestyle
Gorillas primarily inhabit the tropical and subtropical forests of equatorial Africa. Eastern gorillas, including the Eastern Lowland Gorillas, are found in the mountainous forests of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, residing across a wide range of elevations from lowlands to montane cloud forests. Their diet is predominantly herbivorous, consisting mainly of leaves, stems, pith, shoots, and some fruits. An adult male gorilla can consume over 18 kilograms (40 pounds) of vegetation daily, rarely needing to drink water due to the moisture content in their food.
Gorillas live in stable family groups, often led by a dominant silverback male, with groups typically ranging from 2 to over 30 individuals, including multiple females and their offspring, and sometimes younger subordinate males. The silverback provides protection and leadership, making decisions for the group’s movements and activities. Their daily routine involves foraging for food in the early morning and late afternoon, interspersed with significant periods of rest around midday, during which social interactions such as grooming and play, especially among the younger gorillas, are common. Each night, gorillas construct new nests from vegetation on the ground or in trees, never sleeping in the same nest twice.