Cuddles, knuckle-walks and snack breaks: These 12 photos show just how human gorillas are
Cuddles, knuckle-walks and snack breaks: These 12 photos show just how human gorillas are
From their tender parenting to their surprising agility and quirky habits, we offer an intimate look at the daily lives of one of nature’s most captivating primates
Like humans, gorillas have opposable thumbs, which helps them use tools (credit: Getty Images)
Humans have long held a fascination with gorillas – not least because these primates are our closest relative, and looking at one can feel like gazing into a furry mirror.
But there’s much more to these gentle giants than their human-like mannerisms. This photo gallery reveals the many sides of this great ape’s vibrant personality: caring parents, cheeky chappies and expert problem solvers.
A silverback is an adult male gorilla. The silver patch of hair develops on their backs when they become sexually mature and helps signal their sex to other gorillas (credit: Getty Images)Gorillas tend to live in troops, which will usually consist of one dominant male (a silverback), several females and their young offspring (credit: Getty Images)The eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei) is critically endangered, with 2,600 mating individuals left in the wild. There are two subspecies of eastern gorilla – mountain gorillas and lowland gorillas (credit: Getty Images)Like humans, gorillas have opposable thumbs, which helps them use tools (credit: Getty Images)Young gorillas often engage in playfighting with other members of their troop (credit: Getty Images)Like human babies, gorilla infants and vulnerable and dependent, so their mothers are key to their survival – while the male gorillas encourage them to socialise with other infants (credit: Getty Images)As infant gorillas grow stronger, their mothers will be able to carry them on their backs, their primary mode of transportation (credit: Getty Images)Gorillas typically breastfeed their babies for 2-3 years, although solid foods will be introduced much earlier on – around the eight-month mark. The milk will supplement their diet until they are fully weaned (credit: Getty Images)Gorillas are primarily herbivores, eating foliage such as leaves, stems and occasionally fruit. Eastern lowland gorillas have more diverse diets, and will eat insects – particularly ants (credit: Getty Images)Gorillas have 32 teeth – the same number as humans. They are adapted for the coarse vegetation they consume, and silverbacks develop large canine teeth as they mature (credit: Getty Images)Gorillas primarily walk on all fours by knuckle-walking, i.e. they walk on the knuckles of their hands with their fingers curled underneath. This provides stability and efficiency for their large, heavy bodies (credit: Getty Images)Mountain gorillas eat eucalyptus to obtain sodium (credit: Getty Images)
