Mountain gorillas are not aggressive animals unless they are threatened (scientifically proven), contrary to how they are often portrayed in movies such as King Kong.
Mountain gorillas primarily use their hands for walking and supporting their entire body weight, which leads to the development of strong hands compared to those of a human who trains in a gym. Their bones are notably thick and strong, almost twice the size of human bones.
Mountain gorillas are reported to be 12 times stronger than the average man. They are built differently from humans, with more robust and powerful muscles.
This is why it’s strongly advised not to provoke them during your gorilla trekking tours and safaris in Africa. Containing a charged gorilla can be extremely difficult.
Mountain gorillas also possess strong canine teeth, with a bite force recorded at 1,300 pounds per square inch.
A Silverback gorilla can weigh up to 500 pounds, which gives them a significant advantage over an average man who typically weighs around 180 pounds. Mountain gorilla bones are three times stronger, longer, and thicker than those of humans.
Mountain gorillas tend to fight their opponents one by one, so even if you have a group of people, the gorilla will deal with them individually. They can easily break ribs or inflict harm with relative ease.
Dominating Silverback gorillas will fiercely fight to protect their families, and even mothers will fight to protect their young ones, even if it means sacrificing their lives.
Therefore, if you were planning to confront a gorilla, you should be prepared to face the consequences, as they do not give up easily and will continue until either their attention is diverted or they perceive the threat to be eliminated.
In conclusion, it’s very challenging to estimate how many humans it would take to overpower a mountain gorilla, as a concentrated gorilla will not give up until the threat is neutralized. To defeat a mountain gorilla, it would likely require the combined strength of multiple individuals, which is practically impossible.
While humans have killed mountain gorillas using weapons, there is no record of any human ever defeating a mountain gorilla using their bare hands.
Gorilla FAQs & Information
- Why Can’t You Look or Make Eye Contact with a Gorilla?
- Why Silverback Gorillas Fight
- Importance of Mountain Gorillas
- What to do when a gorilla charges on you
- What is The Largest Species of Gorillas?
- What is a Group of Gorillas Called?
- What is the Mountain Gorillas Role in The Ecosystem?
- The Mountain Gorilla Defense Mechanism
- How to Provoke/Annoy a Gorilla
- How Gorillas Greet Each Other
- Do All Gorillas Become Silverbacks?
- Do Gorillas like Humans
- Do gorillas Eat of Kill Their Babies?
- Do Gorillas Eat Humans?
- Can you Tame a Gorilla
- Can you Own a Gorilla?
- Do Mountain Gorillas live in Families & Groups?
- How to Protect & Save Mountain Gorillas
- Why Gorillas Are So Strong
- How do you call a Baby Gorilla?
- How Do Gorillas Sleep?
- How Mountain Gorillas Communicate
- The Gorilla Life Cycle
- Do Gorillas drink water?
- Are Gorillas friendly & gentle to humans?
- Why do Apes, Gorillas beat their chest & sound hollow?
- Gorilla Threats: Why Mountain Gorillas were endangered?
- Why were Mountain Gorillas going extinct?
- What is a Silverback Gorilla?
- Gorilla Species: Different Kinds/Types of Gorilla & Breeds
- Mountain Gorilla Diet
- Mountain Gorilla Size, Average Height & Weight Measurements
- Natural Mountain Gorilla Predators
- Mountain Gorilla Population
- Lifespan of Mountain Gorillas
- Mountain Gorilla Natural Habitat
- Mountain Gorilla Conservation Efforts
- Mountain Gorilla Behavior
- How to Survive a Gorilla Attack on Humans
- Are Gorillas Dangerous to the People
- Why are Gorillas Poached in Africa
- How Gorillas Adapt to Rain-forest Environment
- Interesting Facts about Mountain Gorillas in Africa
- Traits, Qualities & Characteristics of Mountain Gorillas
- How Strong is a Silverback Gorilla?
- Best Place to See Mountain Gorillas in Africa
- Uganda Gorilla Families
- Rwanda Gorilla Families
- Congo Gorilla Families