How Long Do Gorillas Live? - Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe E.V.

FactsHow long do gorillas live?

• General
  • Facts
  • Habitat
  • Everyday Life
  • Social Life
  • History
  • Behaviour
  • Ecology
• Species
  • Taxonomy
  • Eastern gorillas
  • Western Gorillas
• Threats & Protection
  • Threats
  • Protective Measures
• Gorilla Numbers
  • Censuses
  • Gorilla Groups
• Countries
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Uganda
  • Rwanda
  • Cameroon
  • Nigeria
  • Other countries
• Protected areas for gorillas
  • Afi
  • Bechati/Tofala Hills
  • Bwindi
  • Cross River National Park
  • Itombwe
  • Kagwene
  • Kahuzi Biega
  • Maiko
  • Mbe
  • Mbulu
  • Mgahinga
  • Mone
  • Sarambwe
  • Takamanda
  • Tayna
  • Virunga National Park
  • Volcanoes National Park
  • Other protected areas
• People & Gorillas
  • Conflicts
  • Tourism
  • Zoos

How long do gorillas live?

At an age of 35 or more, gorillas show distinct signs of age. Old mountain gorillas often suffer from arthritis, which mainly damages the bones in their hands and feet. They also suffer from the loss of teeth as a consequence of periodontitis, so that they have a problem with feeding. It takes them longer to feed and to travel than the other group members. Gorilla groups adjust their activities accordingly and look after the aged members, in a similar way as they treat sick individuals. Only when death is imminent, the old animals are sometimes abandoned or they retreat on their own accord.

To date, no exact data on the maximum age of free-ranging gorillas are available, as animals in the wild have only been observed since 1967. On average they probably reach 40-45 years. The oldest gorilla whose age is known exactly was Colo, who was born in Columbus/Ohio: she became 60 in December 2016 and died a few weeks later. Still older is Fatou in Berlin (probably born in 1957). The oldest known male gorilla, Ozoum in Atlanta, died with an estimated age of 61 years. (Status: end of 2022)

• Facts
  • Where does the name gorilla come from?
  • How closely are gorillas related to us?
  • How tall and heavy?
  • How long do gorillas live?
  • How do gorillas walk and can they walk upright?
  • How strong are gorillas?
  • How aggressive are gorillas?
  • How intelligent are gorillas?
  • Can gorillas learn to talk?
  • Do gorillas use tools?
  • What is a silverback?
  • How are gorillas studied?
  • Where do the zoo gorillas come from?
• Habitat
• Everyday Life
• Social Life
• History
• Behaviour
• Ecology

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