Gorillas are the largest living primates, and the impressive physical stature of the dominant male often leads to questions about the largest individual ever recorded. Determining the biggest specimen is complicated by the different environments and methods used for measurement. The record holder is not a single, easily named individual, but rather a collection of historical data points representing the maximum extremes of the species. This article examines the specific measurements of the most massive gorillas documented and explains how size varies across the different subspecies.
The Largest Documented Individual
The heaviest gorilla ever recorded was a captive male named Phil, a silverback at the St. Louis Zoo, who reportedly reached 390 kilograms (860 pounds) in the 1970s. Such extreme weights are not representative of healthy wild populations. The captive diet and reduced physical activity allow for excessive fat accumulation, which is why another documented captive maximum is around 310 kilograms (683 pounds).
The heaviest wild gorilla recorded was a massive Western Lowland Gorilla shot in Cameroon, weighing 267 kilograms (589 pounds). This demonstrates the maximum potential size in a natural setting. The tallest documented gorilla was a male shot near Lake Kivu in 1938, standing 1.95 meters (6 feet 5 inches) tall and weighing 219 kilograms (483 pounds). These historical records provide the highest verified figures for weight and standing height.
These measurements highlight a distinction between sheer mass and overall height; the tallest individual was not the heaviest. This suggests a variation in build among the largest specimens. These records remain the benchmark for the physical limits of the species and suggest that the largest gorillas may come from different subspecies, depending on whether height or weight is measured.
Size Differences Among Gorilla Subspecies
Gorilla size depends significantly on its subspecies, which are divided into the Eastern Gorilla and the Western Gorilla, each having two subspecies. The largest of the four is consistently the Eastern Lowland Gorilla, also known as Grauer’s gorilla, found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Adult males typically weigh between 150 and 209 kilograms (331 and 461 pounds) in the wild, with a maximum recorded height of 1.96 meters (6 feet 5 inches). Their stockier build contributes to their status as the largest living primate.
The second Eastern Gorilla subspecies is the Mountain Gorilla, known for its thick coat of fur adapted to its high-altitude habitat. Male Mountain Gorillas are massive, with weights commonly ranging up to 220 kilograms (484 pounds). Though slightly shorter than their Eastern Lowland cousins, their robust frame makes them appear similarly imposing.
The Western Gorilla species includes the Western Lowland Gorilla and the Cross River Gorilla. Western Lowland Gorillas, the most numerous subspecies, are generally smaller and more slender than the Eastern gorillas. Adult males typically weigh between 136 and 227 kilograms (300 and 500 pounds).
The Cross River Gorilla is the most restricted and smallest of the four subspecies, with males estimated to weigh around 180 kilograms (396 pounds). The comparison across these groups shows a clear trend: the Eastern subspecies generally produce the largest and most massive individuals.
Contextualizing Gorilla Size Measurement
Obtaining accurate measurements for gorillas, especially in the wild, presents substantial logistical challenges. Historically, the most precise figures were gathered from specimens that had been shot, a practice no longer used in conservation research. These older measurements are often treated with caution due to the varying methods and conditions of collection.
Gorilla height is often inaccurately portrayed in popular media using their standing upright measurement, which is not their natural posture. Since gorillas are knuckle-walkers, a more relevant dimension is their arm span, which can extend up to 2.6 meters (8 feet 6 inches) for a large male. Modern primatologists employ non-invasive techniques like photogrammetry, using paired lasers and photography to accurately measure body size without physical contact.
The significant weight difference between wild and captive gorillas highlights the influence of environment on size. Captive males can become obese due to high-calorie diets and a lack of the strenuous activity required for foraging in the wild. A healthy wild silverback maintains a body composition of dense muscle and bone, unlike the artificially inflated mass seen in some zoo animals. This demonstrates that the biggest gorilla is the largest specimen relative to its natural biological potential.