Most of the footage we see of gorillas shows them walking around on all fours. In this amazing clip, we get to see one standing up on two legs and the similarity to humans is staggering. This individual is quite happy to show off their physique and pose for the camera as food is thrown in their direction!
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What Exactly Are Gorillas?
Gorillas are primates in the Hominidae family. They are the largest primates on earth and one of our closest living relatives. They share 98 percent of their DNA with humans and we have a common ancestor who lived around seven million years ago.  There are two species of gorillas, namely the Western gorilla and the Eastern gorilla. The Western gorilla can be split into two sub-species which are the Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and the Cross River gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli). The Eastern gorilla can be split into the Eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri) also known as Grauer’s gorilla and the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei).
What Do Gorillas Normally Look Like?
The word gorilla is derived from an ancient African word that means ‘hairy person’. Gorillas have many human-like characteristics including human-like hands. As you can see in this clip, gorillas are muscular primates with broad chests and shoulders. They have small eyes and flat, broad noses. This clip also gives us a clear view of the abdomen that is pushed forward and the long muscled arms. Most of the body is covered with dark fur except for the face, hands, and feet. Gorillas can reach around 5 or 6 feet in height and weigh up to 485 pounds.
How Do Gorillas Normally Move Around?
Gorillas normally use a type of movement called knuckle-walking. This involves them walking on all fours. They hold their fingers in a partially flexed position so that their knuckles are in contact with the ground. This type of movement is also used by chimpanzees. This type of walking allows them to carry small objects while still moving on all fours. However, as you see in this clip, you will also sometimes see gorillas standing on just their hind legs. The structure of a gorilla’s hips is different from human hips. This means that gorillas are not able to walk for long distances on two legs. However, they are happy to stand upright to have a good look at what is going on!
The photo featured at the top of this post is © Tanya Puntti/Shutterstock.com
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