Chimps vs Gorillas: The Main Difference between Gorillas and Chimpanzees

Chimps vs Gorillas: Tourists frequently visit East Africa, particularly Uganda and Rwanda, to observe the two most endangered primate species residing in the natural environments of these nations. The primates in question are the mountain gorillas and the chimpanzees. While travelers journey through distinct environments to observe these unique animals, they often perceive various similarities between the two ape species, leading to occasional confusion between gorillas and chimpanzees. This page delineates the distinctions between gorillas and chimpanzees to assist you in distinguishing these two ape species during your visit. These two primate species share approximately 90% of their DNA with humans, enabling them to perform certain tasks akin to those of humans and facilitating their ability to relate to us. Consequently, these species exhibit more similarities than differences; however, they do possess distinct differences, which include:

Differences Between Gorillas and Chimpanzees: Physical Characteristics (Gorillas vs Chimps)

Mountain gorillas are often two to three times larger than chimpanzees. Mountain gorillas possess more prominent arms, musculature, and chests in contrast to chimpanzees, whose arms, musculature, and chests are less obvious. The faces of gorillas are black, while those of chimpanzees are pink. Gorillas possess diminutive ears located at the posterior of their heads, but chimpanzees exhibit prominent ears that protrude from their heads.

Intelligence

Despite their lower stature, chimpanzees possess larger brains than mountain gorillas, hence rendering them more intelligent than gorillas. This renders chimpanzees more cunning and deceptive than mountain gorillas.

The strength

Mountain gorillas are formidable creatures; a single mountain gorilla can independently transport substantial weights, and when confronting humans or adversaries, it can overpower the victim, inflicting severe damage or even death. Chimpanzees are not particularly strong; they typically utilize their intellect to confront formidable challenges or adversaries. This indicates that gorillas are tranquil creatures that seldom instigate conflict or engage in combat, in contrast to chimpanzees, which are contentious and aggressive species capable of quickly provoking disputes and uniting against adversaries to fight to the death.

Social

Both primates are gregarious animals; however, chimpanzees exhibit significantly greater sociality, residing in communities exceeding 100 members, whilst gorillas inhabit smaller groups of no more than 40 individuals.

Habitats

Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees inhabit forested regions; however, mountain gorillas reside at greater altitudes than chimpanzees, which occupy lower elevations inside the forests. This indicates that any gorilla trekking expedition will require a longer duration to locate mountain gorillas, however the trek to find chimpanzees will be comparatively shorter.

Mountain gorillas predominantly inhabit the ground, in contrast to chimpanzees, which typically reside in trees, although they also traverse the ground.

Leadership within social spheres

Mountain gorilla communities consist of a single silverback, the dominant male, who leads females and their offspring, with no other males present, except for male offspring that are expelled upon reaching maturity. The chimpanzees on the opposite side typically inhabit groups comprising multiple males capable of assuming leadership when necessary.

Both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are capable of bipedal locomotion; nevertheless, they predominantly traverse on all fours. Chimpanzees and speedy animals are more agile than the large mountain gorillas; although mountain gorillas can sprint, they lack the speed and quickness of chimpanzees.

The offspring

Both primates, including humans, typically produce one baby at a time, with mountain gorillas gestating for 8.5 months and chimpanzees for 8 months. The female chimpanzee will give birth to one offspring every five years, while the female mountain gorilla will produce one offspring every two years.

Difference Between Gorillas and Chimpanzees

Nutrition

Chimpanzees and mountain gorillas are both recognized as herbivores, mostly consuming plants and fruits; however, chimpanzees occasionally consume smaller animals, rendering them omnivorous, in contrast to gorillas, which are strictly herbivorous.