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Gorillas are the largest living primates — silverback males can reach 180 kg and stand 1.7 meters. They share 98.3% of their DNA with humans. Despite their intimidating appearance, gorillas are primarily gentle, vegetarian animals that live in complex family groups led by a dominant silverback. They communicate through gestures, vocalizations, and touch.
Koko, a female western lowland gorilla, learned over 1,000 signs in a modified American Sign Language and reportedly expressed concepts of death, love, and humor. Mountain gorillas (critically endangered, ~1,000 remaining) were brought back from the brink by conservation work including that of Dian Fossey, who was murdered in 1985 — likely by poachers she had confronted.
# Top 10 Gorillas facts
- 1Gorillas share 98.3% of DNA with humans — making them our second-closest relatives after chimpanzees
- 2Koko the gorilla learned over 1,000 signs in sign language — she reportedly requested a kitten and mourned when it died
- 3Mountain gorillas came back from the brink — increasing from 620 to over 1,000 due to conservation efforts
Fascinating Facts
- ◆Gorillas share 98.3% of DNA with humans — making them our second-closest relatives after chimpanzees
- ◆Koko the gorilla learned over 1,000 signs in sign language — she reportedly requested a kitten and mourned when it died
- ◆Mountain gorillas came back from the brink — increasing from 620 to over 1,000 due to conservation efforts
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