Hippo vs. Gorilla: Which Animal Would Win in a Fight?

Hippopotamus and gorillas are both African natives and are keystone species in the ecosystems they inhabit. The two gorillas species live in equatorial Africa, making their home in tropical forest habitats. Common hippos which are the largest type live in east Africa, and south of the Sahara, inhabiting lakes, and slow-moving rivers. Gorillas and hippos are both massive, and while these animals are not likely to find each other in the wild you may have wondered how these two giants would match up in a fight.

The physicality of animals like hippos or gorillas outmatch any human. Their powerful bites, speed, and immense presence make them a threat to any animal they come across. Let’s take a look at how hippos and gorillas and who would win in a fight.

Hippo vs. Gorilla Comparison

Hippo vs. Gorilla: Key Factors in a Fight Between Them

Hippos and gorillas are both dominant animals in their environment. Looking at the key factors that these animals use to fight in the wild can help figure out who would win in a fight between a hippo vs a gorilla. 

Let’s take a look at some of the key factors, which include things like their size, speed, defenses, and ways of attack.

Size

Size is one of the most important factors in a fight between two animals, and a common hippopotamus is much larger than even the largest gorillas. Hippos are the third largest land mammal, averaging between 3,000 to 4,000 lbs. The largest hippo ever recorded was a giant that weighed 9,900 lbs. and lived in a zoo. The largest gorilla recorded also lived in a zoo and was about 860 lbs.

Hippos win by a landslide when competing with the gorilla in size, even though eastern lowland gorillas are the largest primate.

Speed and Movement

Speed allows an animal to get in quickly for an attack, or quickly evade an incoming predator. Hippos, although they are extremely bulky, estimates of their max speed vary from 20 to 30 mph. Gorillas are estimated to reach a speed of around 25 mph, so both are able to move quickly.

In the water, hippos move very slowly at 5 mph, but they can keep most of their body submerged to stay hidden. Gorillas cannot swim, and in general, they avoid water. Both gorillas and hippos are evenly matched in speed, with no animal with a large advantage on land. If a fight occurred in the water the hippo would have a massive advantage.

Biteforce and Teeth

Biting is the most common attack that animals use to defend themselves, or kill prey. Hippos not only have one of the strongest bite forces with it measured at 1820 PSI, but they also have the largest mouth of any land animal. Gorillas also have strong jaws, and their bites can create a force of around 1300 PSI. 

The teeth and bite force of the hippo are what makes them such dangerous animals. The largest teeth in the hippos are their lower canines, which grow up to 20 inches. Gorillas mainly feed on vegetation, and hippos, while omnivores, also have a diet of mostly plants. Both animals’ strongest move is their bite.

Hippos’ teeth, bite force, and mouth size severely outmatches gorillas, and make them dangerous creatures for any animals they come across.

Senses

Since gorillas live in dense forests they have excellent hearing, allowing them to sense incoming threats, and their eyesight is good. Hippos have a great sense of smell and are able to see, hear, and breathe while most of their body is underwater.

The two senses of these animals are about equal. Even though hippos do not have the best eyesight, they make up for it with their other senses. 

Physical Defenses

The large size and thick skin are a hippo’s best defenses. Gorillas’ main defense in the wild is their size, and when threatened they stand on two legs to look bigger. If hippos feel like they are in danger, opening their mouth serves as a threat to anyone looking to challenge them.

Compared to a hippo, gorillas do not have the same sturdiness and are quite fragile. The thickness of a hippo’s skin has allowed them to survive gunshots, and attacks from dangerous predators like lions, or crocodiles.

Combat Skills of Hippo and Gorilla

In the wild hippos fight off animals like packs of lions, crocodiles, and hyenas. Hippos spend most of their time in the water, and being very territorial they challenge any animal that gets close to their water hole. Since hippos are so dangerous it is rare for an animal to attack them, and fights usually occur between two hippos. Living in large herds, hippos fight each other for leadership, and control over their territory.

Gorillas in the wild face animals like leopards, chimps, and also other gorillas. They are more docile, and usually only attack if threatened. Male gorillas may fight each other for territory if two groups encounter each other. Protecting their families, or challenging another male for leadership are usually the reasons why gorillas fight. 

Fighting is essential for both animals to move up in their family hierarchy, and also protect their family from threats. The strongest and largest males are the ones with the most combat experience and are put in positions of leadership. 

Hippo vs. Gorilla: Who Would Win A Fight?

If a fight occurred between a hippo and a gorilla it is obvious that a hippo severely outmatches even the largest of gorillas and strongest gorillas. In a fight, a hippo can easily kill a gorilla by either charging through them or using its large mouth to take them out.

Gorillas have similar attacks to hippos, like charge and bite, but their attacks are much weaker compared to them. One advantage that the gorilla does have is their human-like arms and a crazy amount of strength. Gorillas are the strongest primates in the world. Their feats of strength include bending steel bars and tearing down banana trees. It is not known how strong a gorilla actually is but they have a record of lifting 1,800 lbs.

It is unlikely a gorilla would be able to match the strength of a hippo, or get close enough to do damage without getting severely injured. The tough skin on a hippo will likely keep them safe from any attack a gorilla throws at them. Luckily these two animals do not fight each other in the wild, and they can both enjoy being one of the strongest species where they live.

What Animals Can Take Down a Hippo?

A pride of lions: It takes a very special kind of foe to be able to stand up to this rather temperamental pachyderm.

The sort that would ideally not just come with fangs, which in the case of the gorilla has proven to be wholly insufficient, but something more — such as razor-sharp claws, for example. In other words, a carnivore. And not a lone agent, but one acting as a part of a greater whole. 

A pride of lions fits the bill perfectly especially given their strength and agility. While these qualities are barely enough at an individual level to take down a 4,000 lbs herbivore, they become a lot more formidable when employed by a group of perfectly co-ordinated members.

Exactly what a hippo in Northern Botswana found to its cost when it was set upon by a pride to avenge the bullying its members had suffered at the muzzle of one of its neighbors during a river crossing a day before.

Can a Human Defeat a Gorilla With His Bare Hands?

How likely would it be for a human to defeat a gorilla if an attack occurred? You’d need to compare the two on multiple levels. For instance, the average weight of a human is 130-199 lbs, while a gorilla’s average weight is 220-440 lbs. In height, a human stands taller at 5’3” to 5’9” vs a gorilla at 4.4 to 5.1 feet tall.

Humans can run at a top speed of 27.5 mph for a short distance, while gorillas can run 25 mph, but are more agile through their knucklewalking. In combat, humans can deliver kicks, punches, strangleholds, and bites comparable to canine force. However, gorillas can lift up to 1,800 lbs, deliver stronger open-handed punches, and deliver terrible bites with a bite force of 1,300 PSI. Their sharp fangs can tear flesh.

Humans would have an edge with intelligence, maneuvering skills, and a keen sense of sight and hearing, while gorillas could be scared away with tactics of intimidation, but have a keen sense of smell and tough skin that’s hard to puncture. Given these comparisons, it’s safe to say that a gorilla could overpower and kill a human if it really wanted to.

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