The gorilla is the largest of the apes. Males are sometimes over 1.8 meters tall and weigh between 180 to 200 kg. They have broad chests, muscular necks and broad, strong hands and feet. They normally walk on all fours with knuckles on the ground, and adults seldom climb trees.
Gorillas live in troops and each troop is led by and old male.
Gorillas in lowland forests often eat fruits and leaves whereas those living in the mountains eat bark, stems and roots. They nearly get all their water from their food. The gestation period is about 255 days and the animal may live up to 37 years. Leopards may take young gorillas but they have no other enemy except man.