Gorillas are the world’s largest primates, with a typical male silverback weighing almost 200 kilograms.
There are two species of gorilla – the eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei) and western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) – both of which are divided into two subspecies.
These intelligent herbivores live in dense African forests, communicating with family members with subtle gestures and deep vocalisations.
Though powerful, they are gentle giants – as this gallery of incredible gorilla photos shows.
A close-up shot of a male eastern lowland gorilla – a subspecies of the eastern gorilla. Credit: GettyA western lowland gorilla (a subspecies of the western gorilla) infant named 'Sopo' rides on the back of his mother 'Mopambi' in Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve, Central African Republic. Credit: GettyA male mountain gorilla (subspecies of the eastern gorilla) pauses for a break in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo. Credit: GettyA western lowland gorilla juvenile female known as 'Bokata' in Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve, Central African Republic. Credit: GettyThe western lowland gorilla has an average lifespan of 35 years. Credit: GettyThe western lowland gorilla is the smallest of the four gorilla subspecies. Here, a male steps out into the open in Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve, Central African Republic. Credit: GettyAn eastern gorilla female with her baby in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Credit: GettyA mountain gorilla yawning in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Credit: GettyGorillas are mainly herbivores, and their diet mostly consists of bamboo, fruit and leafy plants, though western lowland gorillas also eat small insects. Credit: GettyA mountain gorilla in Rwanda Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Credit: GettyTwo young mountain gorillas playing in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Credit: GettyA mountain gorilla male in a bamboo forest in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Credit: GettyAdult gorillas can eat up to 30kg of food every day. Credit: GettyBaby gorillas are called infants, just like baby humans, which makes sense when we're so closely related. Here, a teenage gorilla can be seen through the bushes in Virunga National Park, Rwanda. Credit: GettyAs roaming herbivores, gorillas play a vital role in seed dispersal. Many large fruit trees depend upon these animals to survive. Credit: GettyResearch published in early 2016 showed that gorillas hum contentedly when eating their favourite food. Here, a mountain gorilla male chews on vegetation in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo. Credit: GettyA huge silverback mountain gorilla relaxing with a family member in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Gorillas build nests in which to sleep, both on the ground and in trees, made of leaves and branches. Credit: GettyFemale gorillas usually produce just one baby every four to six years. Credit: Getty
Top image: mountain gorilla. Credit: Getty
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