Native to Africa, where they live in tropical forests, marshes, mountains, and upland habitats, gorillas are powerful primates that are closely related to humans. Gorillas are the largest extant (still in existence) primates, with some male gorillas weighing up to 500 pounds and standing 6 feet tall. Often described as gentle giants, gorillas can become aggressive when they feel threatened or if their young or territory is in danger, and biting is a powerful tool in their defensive repertoire. Continue reading to discover how strong a gorilla’s bite force is and why you don’t want firsthand knowledge.
Gorillas: Overview
Mothers are incredibly nurturing, providing care and attention during the first few years of their offspring’s life.
©LuckyBusiness/iStock via Getty Images
With large barrel chests, thick necks, muscular arms, and giant hands, gorillas are extremely strong and quite intimidating. Along with great strength, they have shown high intelligence; some are even able to learn how to communicate with humans using sign language.
There are two recognized species of gorillas: Western gorillas and Eastern gorillas. Each of these species is further divided into two subspecies. The Western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and the Cross River gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) are subspecies of the Western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla). Eastern Gorillas (Gorilla beringei) are divided between the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) and the Eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri).
A Gorilla’s Bite Force
Gorillas use sticks to measure water depth and make a bridge to cross over deep waters.
©iStock.com/SooniosPro
Gorillas have one of the strongest bite forces in the animal kingdom. Unlike many animals with strong bites due to their carnivorous diets, gorillas are herbivores.
Producing around 1,300 pounds per square inch (psi) with their bite, gorillas have one of the strongest bite forces in the animal kingdom. Fortunately, these gentle giants will only attack when threatened or provoked. Although each subspecies produces a similar amount of force, the Western lowland gorilla has the strongest.
How Gorillas Use Their Bite In The Wild
Would you want to challenge the bite force of this primate?
©Jeff W. Jarrett/Shutterstock.com
Gorillas are herbivores, sticking mostly to a vegetarian diet. Even though they do not eat meat, they will occasionally eat insects, especially ants and termites, as a supplemental source of protein. Their strong bite force helps gorillas eat fruit, leaves, stems, and bamboo shoots.
Their diet depends on their location and what food is available at the time. When fruit and softer foods are unavailable, they will eat bark, seeds, and tough stems.
Males can eat up to 40 pounds of food a day. Their strong jaws are the reason they can eat so much and bite into all the tough vegetation. Western lowland gorillas have an appetite for ants and termites, which they access by biting into trees with their teeth.
Males have large canines, which are twice the size of those in females. These canine teeth, along with their incisors, help cut and tear food. Male gorillas will also flash their canine teeth as a display of dominance. When threatened, gorillas rarely bite; instead, they typically attack by charging. Although a gorilla’s bite can be powerful and potentially deadly, it is one of the last methods they use for self-defense.
The Secret Behind Gorillas’ Strength
Captive gorillas are typically heavier than their wild cousins.
©AB Photographie/Shutterstock.com
The secret to the gorilla’s powerful bite lies in its massive jaws. These muscles, used for biting and chewing, are significantly larger and more powerful in gorillas than in humans. This allows them to exert tremendous force when biting. Their estimated 1,300 pounds per square inch (psi) at their molars is significantly stronger than a human’s measly 162 psi.
The physically demanding lifestyle and natural diet of wild gorillas contribute to their higher muscle mass and leaner physique compared to captive gorillas. Wild male gorillas can weigh up to about 500 pounds, while captive males may reach 600 pounds or more, with rare individuals exceeding this weight.
How A Gorilla Bite Compares To A Human Bite
An isolated picture of an elderly gorilla
©iStock.com/GlobalP
Humans and gorillas are closely related, so how do their bite forces compare? A gorilla’s large size and jaw muscles give them the advantage. Humans have a bite force of between 120 to 200 psi. The gorilla’s bite force of 1,300 psi is, therefore, around eight times stronger than a human’s.
Although gorillas are closely related to humans, they are much more powerful than any human. Even so, gorillas are recognized on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as being either Critically Endangered or Endangered. Specifically, both Western gorillas and Eastern gorillas are classified as Critically Endangered.
