Gorilla trivia quiz: a roundup of fun facts!
Gorillas are hominids that mainly inhabit Africa, and many of you have probably seen them at zoos.
While they’re known for their powerfully muscular bodies, they’re also genetically very close to humans and are known for their high intelligence.
In this article, we’ll introduce a collection of fun facts about gorillas in the form of a quiz.
We’ve gathered a variety of facts—some well-known and others not so familiar—so have fun seeing how many questions you can get right as you take on the challenge.
Gorilla trivia quiz: a roundup of fun facts! (1–10)
How did Koko the gorilla in the United States communicate with humans?
- animal cry; chirp; birdsong; (generic) animal/vocal sound
- sign language
- Point to the letters with your finger
See the answer
sign language
Koko was a gorilla raised in the United States who learned sign language from a young age and communicated with humans. She is said to have understood and used more than 1,000 sign-language words, and was known for her ability to understand and express human emotions and thoughts. Koko’s stories clearly show how high gorilla intelligence can be.
Which of the following do gorillas prefer to eat?
- plant
- fish
- Meat of herbivorous animals
See the answer
plant
Gorillas are primarily herbivorous and prefer to eat foods such as fruits, leaves, and stems. The majority of their diet consists of plant-based items. They occasionally eat insects like ants, but they generally do not eat animal meat.
What percentage of genes are the same between gorillas and humans?
- 97%
- 87%
- 77%
See the answer
97%
It is said that about 97% of gorilla and human genes are the same. Chimpanzees are thought to share about 98% of their genes with humans, so gorillas can be considered the next closest species to humans. This fact is regarded as one piece of evidence supporting that humans and other primates evolved from a common ancestor.
Which of the following is correct about a gorilla’s personality?
- Aggressive and ferocious
- Gentle and sensitive
- Curious and sociable
See the answer
Gentle and sensitive
Gorillas are very large and powerful animals, but their temperament is said to be gentle and sensitive. Living in social groups, gorillas usually prefer peace and tend to avoid unnecessary conflict. It’s also said that, due to their sensitivity, they can sometimes develop diarrhea from stress.
How many blood types does the western lowland gorilla have?
- 1 type
- two types
- 4 types
See the answer
1 type
Western lowland gorillas have only one blood type, and it is type B. It was once featured on a TV program and became a hot topic, so many of you may already know this!
What is the average lifespan of gorillas in the wild?
- 30–40 years
- 40 to 50 years
- 50–60 years
See the answer
40 to 50 years
The average lifespan of gorillas is about 40 to 50 years in the wild, but in captivity it varies depending on the environment, with the longest recorded lifespan being 53 years.
For what purpose is chest-beating drumming performed?
- To avoid conflict
- to attract the opposite sex
- to express anger
See the answer
To avoid conflict
Drumming has several meanings, but the main one is thought to be letting other gorillas know of one’s presence to avoid unnecessary conflicts. When we think of drumming, we tend to imagine it as intimidating the opponent, but that’s not the case. Incidentally, an adult gorilla’s drumming can reportedly be heard from up to 2 kilometers away.