How Smart Are Gorillas? How Intelligent Are Gorillas?

How Smart Are Gorillas? Gorillas are very intelligent animals and often use tools to carry out their tasks efficiently and they like to use their voices to communicate with each other. Different species of gorillas have different levels of intelligence.

The gorilla is not as curious or adaptable as the chimpanzee, and it does not pay much attention to the chimpanzee.

Gorillas have many behaviors that are similar to humans. So, people may question how smart are gorillas and how intelligent it is compared to other types of apes.

There are many threats facing gorillas all over the world and this is the reason why the number of gorillas in the world is very low. Uganda is one of the countries where gorillas face the most threats.

One thing that is very famous about gorillas is that they have about 98% human DNA and that is why they are so unique from other species and wildlife found in the world. 

In terms of brain weight, humans are better than gorillas because the brain weight of a gorilla is about 500 grams and the brain weight of humans is 1250 grams. A gorilla is better than a chimpanzee in terms of staying calm and being patient.

How intelligent are gorillas?

How smart are gorillas? and How intelligent are gorillas? are almost the same questions but if we talk about the intelligence of a gorilla so gorillas are counted among the most intelligent primates in the world.

When it comes to brain weight, gorillas are second only to humans. Chimpanzees and gorillas have very different characters, so we can’t easily compare them in terms of intelligence.

The intelligence of gorillas can be gauged from the fact that when they cross water, they use a stick to gauge the depth of the water.

Also when they have to climb their children to a higher place, they use bamboo as a ladder.

Also Read Can Gorillas Swim? Exploring Their Aquatic Abilities

Facts that make gorillas smart & intelligent:

Many of the facts tell us how smart are gorillas. Some mindblowing facts are as follows:

Tool usage: Most of the time the gorillas use their intelligence to use natural materials as a tool and use their abilities. They can do different things using these natural materials such as making a resting place for themselves.

Communication skills: You can gauge the communication skills of gorillas by the fact that gorillas have more than 25 different vocalizations to communicate with.

Mothering skills: If you want to gauge the intelligence of gorillas, you have to look at how they raise their children. After seeing all this, you can easily imagine how intelligent these primates are.

When a female gorilla becomes a mother, her abilities are extraordinary compared to other animals.

After reading all these facts we can easily assume how smart are gorillas.

How smart are gorillas in terms of speaking?

Another quality found in gorillas is their vocalizations and they are known to communicate in more than 25 different types of vocalizations.

They use these types of sounds when they have to convey an important message to each other or when someone is angry and also when they are concerning family management or sending messages to each other.

How smart are gorillas compared to other apes?

The gorilla is the most intelligent of all primates in the world. Gorillas share 98 percent of their DNA with humans, and gorillas have an average IQ of about 75 to 95. Apart from this, many cognitive abilities are also found in gorillas.

They very skillfully face the problems presented at different times of their lives. An example of this is that they use a stick to gauge the depth of the water when they wade through deep water.

Sometimes they extract their food by making a simple tool with the help of twigs. After studying from different places we found out another amazing thing about gorillas and that is that gorillas can understand and learn sign language.

Gorillas have very sharp memories, especially regarding food sources and social relationships. All the monkeys found in the world have some quality but the gorilla is the most intelligent among them.

To understand more about their daily routines and how their sleep patterns reflect their intelligence, check out our article on “How do gorillas sleep.“

How smart are gorillas in making and using tools?

The high intelligence of the gorilla can be gauged from the fact that the gorilla can make and use various tools.

A gorilla may not use tools as extensively or creatively as compared to a chimpanzee. If a gorilla uses different tools, you can check the gorilla’s adaptability and problem-solving skills.

How smart are mountain gorillas?

The mountain gorillas are smart animals, they use sticks to get their food and sometimes their intelligence reaches the extent that they can even solve puzzles and they are capable of learning anything very quickly.

Although it is not possible to estimate how smart are gorillas, after collecting information from different places, we have concluded that gorillas are very intelligent animals.

The reason for saying this is because gorillas live in groups and need to find things in their natural home.

Gorilla brain vs human brain:

The gorilla brain is approximately one-third the size of the human brain. A human brain weighs about 1250 grams, while a gorilla’s brain weighs about 500 grams.

The gorilla’s brain-to-body ratio is similar to that of earlier humans from which you can estimate his cognitive ability. Neurologically, gorilla brains exhibit complexity in regions associated with memory, communication, and emotional processing.

Do gorillas have a sense of consciousness?

Like other animals, gorillas have many signs of consciousness. Gorillas have self-awareness, for example, looking at themselves in the mirror to find flaws.

A gorilla’s social behavior and ability to solve various difficult problems with ease can give you an idea of its level of consciousness.

Neurological studies show similarities in brain structure and function between gorillas and humans, further suggesting a capacity for consciousness.

Science is investigating to find out the exact nature and depth of gorilla consciousness.

However, various lines of evidence testify that gorillas have a sense of self and a level of awareness of their environment and interactions with others.

Threats to the survival of gorillas in the wild?

Gorillas face many threats to survive in the forests like deforestation, agriculture, mining, etc. Due to these reasons, their living space and food resources are decreasing day by day.

Illegal poaching for the bushmeat trade and the capture of infant gorillas for the illegal pet trade also pose significant risks. Ebola is a disease that has destroyed many gorilla species in the past, and this disease can still destroy gorilla populations.

Climate change is forcing gorillas to change habitats and potentially introduce diseases. Efforts should be made to protect gorillas from all these threats and to protect their habitats.

Where do I go for gorilla trekking?

If you want to go for gorilla trekking then countries like Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo can be a good choice for you. By visiting these countries, you will be able to learn about gorillas in depth.

And if you visit the Congo, you will get to see Eastern Lowland Gorillas in their natural habitat.

When to visit gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda & Congo

If you want to go to Uganda, Congo, or Rwanda to see gorillas, you can go any time of the year.

But it is recommended that you go for gorilla trekking in the dry season because you will enjoy it very much and it is a very favorable season for gorilla trekking.

This dry season is from June to September or from December to February. Whenever you go gorilla trekking, you must have essential items such as waterproof hiking boots, a water bottle, high-energy snacks, and a long-sleeved shirt.

Also, you must have a gorilla permit and the price can vary, so when you go gorilla trekking, check the price of a gorilla permit before you go.

Apart from this, you should also have a first-aid kit, sweater, insect repellent, rain jacket, sunscreen, trousers, and a camera without a flashlight before going trekking.

How big is a gorilla?

An adult male gorilla is about 5.6 feet tall and weighs between 135 and 180 kilograms. On the other hand, a female gorilla measures 4.9 feet in length and weighs between 68 and 113 kilograms.

Their size can vary between species and the eastern gorilla is larger than the western gorilla.

How long do gorillas live for?

A gorilla living in the forest can live for about 35 to 40 years and a species of gorilla called fatou is the oldest gorilla living to the great age of 65 years.

Conclusion:

Some researchers believe that gorillas do not have the same characteristics as humans, but they admit that gorillas are highly intelligent compared to other animals.

They have a way of communicating with each other and can move objects back and forth, indicating that they can take advantage of their surroundings and many emotions are smart in terms of showing off.

Although a gorilla may not be more intelligent than humans, it is much more intelligent than we can imagine.

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