Difference Between Gorillas and Humans

大猩猩和人类

Although it is never difficult to identify a gorilla from a human, the differences between them would still have a good value to consider and discuss. According to the common belief, human is the mostly valued, developed, evolved, intelligent, lovable, and destructive species among all the members of the animal kingdom. However, other than those adjectives about humans, it would be interesting to explore their biological characteristics and compare those with one of the important primates, gorilla (evolutionary relatives).

Gorillas

Gorilla has the largest body among all the primates. They range in Central and Western Africa, and there are only two species of gorilla, named Western (Gorilla gorilla) and Eastern (Gorilla beringei). Eastern gorilla ranges in some Central African countries viz. Uganda and Rwanda, while Western gorillas range in Cameroon, Nigeria, Angola, and some other western African countries. Their habitat includes tropical to subtropical forests, and they depend on a herbivorous diet that mainly consists of fruits. Adult males are called silverbacks, and they are about 1.5 – 1.8 meters tall, and weigh between 140 and 200 kilograms. Usually, an adult female is about half the size of a silverback. The structure of their skull demonstrates the characteristic mandibular prognathism, which is the protrusion of mandible farther out than the maxilla. The coat colour is dark, which is mostly blackish brown. Gorillas live in groups called troops and they make their nests on trees. Usually, they have a large brain that weighs about 400 grams, and they live a long life, which spans up to about 55 years.

Humans

Humans, Homo sapiens, are considered to be the most evolved species of animal species. Humans’ physiology and morphology are quite different from other animals. Despite their uniqueness among all the animals, humans are different among themselves with regard to the desires, habits, ideas, skills…etc. The humans are remarkable in their ability to; understand, explain, and utilize the environment with respect to science, philosophy, and religion. The humans are social animals with strong relationships among them. Modern man is of mainly three types; Caucasoid, Negroid, and Mongoloid. Usually an average healthy adult human weighs about 50 to 80 kilograms while the height could vary within 1.5 and 1.8 metres. An unhealthy or an unusual man would break those limits. The life expectancy at birth for humans at birth averages around 67 years. Although, humans were the last to evolve, according to many scientists, and have not faced any of the major climatic or geographical changes those took place on Earth. Therefore, it would be a little too soon to believe that humans could survive any of the mass extinctions, which are due in the future.

What is the difference between Human and Gorilla? • There are two species of gorilla, but humans belong in only one species. • Although they both grow at the same heights, Gorillas are much heavier and larger compared to humans. • Humans have a longer life expectancy compared to gorillas. • Humans have a higher brain capacity. • The population size is incredibly higher in humans than gorillas. • Mandibular prognathism is prominent among gorillas, but not in humans.