Chimpanzee vs Gorilla: An In-depth Comparison in Text & Videos
You might not be aware of all the differences between gorillas and chimpanzee. When comparing these two primate species, there are a lot of differences as well as preferences, but what might they be? You’ve come to the right place if you’ve ever wondered what makes a chimpanzee or a gorilla tick.
The many distinctions between these two incredible species will be covered in this post. Their habitats, sizes, outward characteristics, and even some of their behavioral tendencies will differ. Let’s get going!
CHIMPANZEE VS GORILLA
Comparing Chimpanzee vs Gorilla
| Chimpanzee | Gorilla | |
| Genus | Pan | Gorilla |
| Size | 3-5 feet tall; 50-150 pounds | 3-6 feet tall; 200-500 pounds |
| Appearance | Sparse black hair covering everywhere but their palms, face, and soles of their feet; large ears and fingers. Lean body | Huge shoulders and broad body; black thick hair covering body except for face, palms, and feet. Males get silver in color as they age |
| Location and Habitat | Western and Central Africa; enjoys tropical forests and wooded areas | Tropical areas of Africa, including rainforests and remote locations |
| Lifespan | 50-60 years | 30-50 years |
Key Differences Between Chimpanzee vs Gorilla
Chimpanzees and gorillas differ from one other in several important ways. For instance, gorillas belong to the gorilla family, but chimpanzees belong to the pan family. In terms of both height and weight, gorillas likewise grow significantly larger than chimps do. Despite having similar habitats and geographic ranges, chimpanzees typically outlast gorillas by 5 to 10 years.
Now let’s look more closely at all of their differences.
Chimpanzee vs Gorilla: Family and Scientific Classification
The genus and categorization of chimpanzees and gorillas are two important distinctions. For instance, gorillas and chimpanzees both belong to the gorilla family of mammals, although chimpanzees do not. They both belong to the primate order, which explains why they have certain similarities, but gorillas and chimpanzees each come from a separate, distinct family. Numerous studies indicate that both of these primates share a high degree of genetic similarity with humans.
Chimpanzee vs Gorilla: Physical Appearance and Size
Based on size and physical characteristics, chimpanzees and gorillas are easily distinguishable from one another. Chimpanzees are much lighter than gorillas, and they are also significantly taller. Gorillas range in height from 3-6 feet tall and weigh 200-500 pounds, while the average chimpanzee is 3-5 feet tall and weighs 50-150 pounds. More than any chimpanzee can ever weigh, some gorillas even weigh more than this!
Chimpanzees and gorillas have various physical characteristics. Both of these monkeys have coarse, dark hair covering their bodies, yet male chimpanzees do not age to silver, while male gorillas do. Gorillas have black skin on their faces and palms, while chimpanzees have pink or tan skin on those same areas. The ordinary chimpanzee is also significantly slimmer than the typical gorilla, which has broad shoulders.
A chimpanzee and a gorilla can be distinguished from one another by the shape of their ears. Gorillas have small ears near the back of their skulls, while chimpanzees have huge ears on the sides of their heads, similar to humans. Because of the size and shape of their skulls, gorillas are incredibly unusual.
Chimpanzee vs Gorilla: Lifespan
The lifespan of chimpanzees and gorillas is the last distinction to be made. Gorillas live an average of 30 to 50 years, compared to the average lifespan of chimpanzees of 50 to 60 years. Gorillas often live shorter lives than chimpanzees, thus they mature sexually sooner than chimps do.
Chimpanzees typically take between 13 and 15 years to attain reproductive maturity, but female gorillas are capable of reproducing by the age of 8 to 10. Despite both of these animals having a comparable gestation length, gorillas give birth to one child on average every four to five years while chimpanzees typically have more children.
Gorilla vs Chimpanzee
Chimpanzee vs Gorilla: Behavior and Diet
The way chimpanzees and gorillas behave and choose their food is another difference. Although both of these primates are regarded as omnivores, chimpanzees usually consume fruits and insects, whilst gorillas frequently consume leaves and flowers. These two animals tend to have different preferences no matter where they dwell, despite the fact that their habitats overlap and have an impact on their meals.
Gorillas will build their nests on the ground, whereas chimpanzees prefer to build their nests or sleeping spaces in trees. Additionally, these chimpanzees live in bigger groups and are a close-knit community, whereas gorillas are led by one or two male silverback gorillas. Despite the fact that both of these primates are highly intelligent communicators, chimpanzees are often regarded as being more sociable than gorillas.
Chimpanzee vs Gorilla: Preferred Habitat and Geographic Location
Africa is home to both chimpanzees and gorillas, especially in tropical areas with an abundance of trees and vegetation. In contrast to chimpanzees, gorillas are often found in far more remote areas. Due to their territorial and protective natures, these primates also don’t choose to reside in the same location.
Chimpanzees, though, can be found in drier, more desert environments such wooded savannahs. Only gorillas inhabit moist rainforests, frequently secluded in the mountains. It makes sense that chimpanzees need more space to live in than gorillas because they frequently congregate in huge numbers.