Gorilla Facts
for Kids
Gorilla beringei beringei
Lifespan
35–40 years
Weight
130–220 kg (males)
Diet
Herbivore
Habitat
Montane rainforest, 1,500–4,000 m elevation
About the Gorilla
Mountain gorillas are the largest living primates, found only in the high-altitude forests of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite being Endangered, their population has grown from 620 in 2008 to over 1,063 today — one of conservation's greatest comeback stories.
Gorilla Fun Facts for Kids
- 1Mountain gorillas share 98.3% of their DNA with humans — our closest relatives after chimpanzees.
- 2They live in family groups of 5–30 individuals led by a dominant silverback male.
- 3Gorillas build a brand-new sleeping nest from leaves and branches every single night.
- 4A silverback can consume up to 34 kg (75 lb) of vegetation in a single day.
Founder's Note — Mike Beasley
“The gorilla pack was the first one I built for Zoo Printables AI. I couldn't find wildlife printables for my own kids that went deeper than 'big strong animal,' so I sourced every fact directly from IUCN field reports and peer-reviewed primatology studies. Silverbacks gently playing with infants, families grieving their dead — gorillas deserve better than clip-art worksheets.”
Founder, Zoo Printables AI · Full-Stack Developer & AI Platform Builder
Free Activities
Gorilla
Quiz · Word Scramble · Memory Match · Coloring
Play ActivitiesColoring PagesNo sign-up · Works on any device
Classification
- Scientific name
- Gorilla beringei beringei
- Class
- Mammal
- Diet
- Herbivore
- Continent
- Africa
- Status
- Endangered
Common Questions
Gorilla Questions & Answers
How many mountain gorillas are left in the wild?+
Approximately 1,063 mountain gorillas remain in the wild as of 2024. They live in two isolated populations: the Virunga Massif (shared by Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC) and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda.
What do mountain gorillas eat?+
Mountain gorillas are herbivores that feed on leaves, stems, bark, roots, and flowers from over 100 plant species. They spend roughly 30% of each day foraging, and fruit makes up only about 2% of their diet because it is scarce at high altitudes.
How big do gorillas get?+
Adult male gorillas (silverbacks) weigh 130–220 kg (286–485 lb) and can stand up to 1.7 m (5.6 ft) tall on two legs. Females are much smaller, typically weighing 70–98 kg (154–216 lb).
Are gorillas dangerous to humans?+
Mountain gorillas are generally gentle animals that avoid humans. However, silverbacks will charge aggressively if they feel their family group is threatened. The charge is usually a bluff — trekking guides train visitors to stay calm, crouch down, and avert their eyes.
Why are gorillas endangered?+
Mountain gorillas are threatened by habitat loss from agriculture and logging, disease transmission from humans (they are susceptible to our respiratory viruses), and poaching. Conservation programmes in Uganda and Rwanda have successfully reversed the population decline.
What You Get
Gorilla Activities & Learning
Fact Sheet
Scientifically accurate gorilla facts covering habitat, diet, behaviour, and conservation status.
Interactive Games
Play gorilla quiz, word scramble, memory match, and fact-or-fiction — right in your browser or on a tablet.
Coloring Pages
Free gorilla coloring pages on Vecteezy — download, print, and color at home or in the classroom.
No sign-up · No credit card · Works on any device
Sources & Fact Verification
- •IUCN Red List of Threatened Species — iucnredlist.org
- •Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute — nationalzoo.si.edu
- •San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance — animals.sandiegozoo.org
- •World Wildlife Fund Species Directory — worldwildlife.org
Every fact on this page is cross-referenced against peer-reviewed research and the databases above before publication.
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