About
Animal Facts
Common Name:
Western Lowland Gorilla
Scientific Name:
Gorilla gorilla
Behavior:
  • Gorillas tend to live in family groups of a dominate male with several females and some of their offspring.
  • They are often most active in the morning.
  • Nests of plants and leaves are built on the ground or in a tree to sleep in.
Diet:
Herbivore
Height:
6 ft
Weight:
350 lb
Life Span:
30 yrs
Gestation Period:
255 days
Number of Young:
1
Habitats:
  • Forest
Fun Facts:
  • Females are significantly smaller.
  • Mature males with gray hairs on their backs are known as "silverbacks".
  • Attacks are rare, but signs of aggression such as beating the chest and roaring are used to intimidate.
  • Females only reproduce once every 4 or 5 years.
Threats:
  • Climate Change
  • Disease
  • Habitat Loss
  • Poaching / Over Consumption
Endangered Status
Endangered Status
  • Extinct in Wild (EW)
  • Critically Endangered (CR)
  • Endangered (EN)
  • Vulnerable (VU)
  • Near Threatened (NT)
  • Least Concern (LC)
  • Not Evaluated (NE)

North Carolina Zoo is helping to save gorillas in the wild. We equip rangers with the tools they need to track and reduce threats to gorillas as well as count the gorillas themselves. In addition, we are assessing the potential risk of disease transmission between gorillas, livestock, and people. You can read more about the Zoo’s work on wild gorillas below, under related resources.

This species is an Association of Zoos and Aquariums SAFEspecies. SAFE seeks to protect threatened and endangered species around the world.

The gorillas at the Zoo get a heart-healthy diet. It consists of mostly leafy greens with a little fruit and some starchy vegetables spread throughout the habitat. This diet mimics what they eat in the wild and encourages them to spend more time foraging and eating their food.

Saving Species Plan Logo

This species is cooperatively managed as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan program program. This program is responsible for developing a Breeding and Transfer Plan for each species in the program.

Related Resources

Gorilla conservation

Saving Gorillas Across Africa

Our park is helping to save wild gorillas by equipping ranges with tools to track and reduce threats, and to count the gorillas themselves.

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