Gorillas and chimpanzees are two of our closest living relatives. But, they differ profoundly in size, behavior, and ecology.

Common Ancestry

Gorillas and chimpanzees both descended from an ancient African ape. This common ancestor lived around 8 to 10 million years ago. A fossil of this common ancestor has been found, but is often referred to as the “gorilla-chimpanzee last common ancestor” (GCH-LCA). Shifts in climate and habitat pushed this shared ancestor into different ecological niches, producing two distinct species.

With respect to humans, chimpanzees share 98.6% of their DNA with us. Gorillas are a close second, sharing 98.3% of their DNA with us.

Physical Differences

Gorillas and chimpanzees have significant differences in their appearances. Gorillas are much bigger than chimpanzees. They commonly reach 3–6 ft (0.9–1.8 m) in height and weigh between 300 to 430 lbs (136 to 195 kg). On the other hand, chimpanzee typically measure 3–5 ft (0.9–1.5 m) in height and weigh around 88 to 132 lbs (40 to 60 kg).

The large frames, thick bones, and broad chests of the gorilla contrast greatly with the lighter, more agile build of the chimpanzee. Gorillas have sizable head crests with smaller ears placed closer to the back of the skull. They have dark fur and black skin on their faces and palms. Older males develop silvery fur on their backs.

Chimpanzees have leaner bodies with narrower torsos. Their limbs are more slender. The skin on their faces and palms are pink or tan. Chimpanzees have large ears on the sides of their heads, similar to humans.

On average, gorillas have slightly larger brains. Gorilla brains range around 18–31 cu in (400–700 cu cm) while chimps average about 24–43 cu in (300–500 cu cm). Most scientists believe that chimpanzees are smarter than gorillas. Chimps often outscore gorillas in tests of problem-solving, tool use, and language comprehension. Gorilla intelligence remains impressive, but chimps lead in tasks requiring advanced reasoning.

Behavioral Differences

Gorillas tend to lead a more solitary, stable life within their family groups, typically led by a dominant silverback male. These groups are small, usually comprising one adult male, several females, and their offspring. Their behavior is generally gentle unless their group is threatened.

In contrast, chimpanzees live in larger, dynamic communities that can range from 15 to 150 individuals. Their social structure is fluid, with both males and females engaging in complex alliances and sometimes aggressive encounters. Chimpanzees are known for their advanced tool use and problem-solving abilities, which contribute to their reputation as the more intelligent of the two species.

Gorillas are primarily herbivores. They spend much of their day foraging on leaves, stems, roots, and occasional fruits. Mountain gorillas, in particular, consume a diet dominated by foliage from dense forests and high-altitude vegetation.

Chimpanzees have a more varied diet. While they consume fruit as a staple, they also hunt small mammals, insects, and occasionally meat from bushbabies or monkeys. Their opportunistic feeding habits enable them to thrive in both forested and savannah environments. This dietary flexibility is mirrored in their habitat choices—chimpanzees use both ground and arboreal routes to access food, whereas gorillas, due to their larger size, remain largely terrestrial.

Who Would Win a Fight – Gorilla vs. Chimpanzee?

A hypothetical fight between gorillas and chimpanzees would be a clash of brute strength versus agility.

Size would favor gorillas as they are built for power. Adult males weigh three to four times as much as chimpanzees. Studies suggest gorillas are 4 to 10 times stronger than the average human, while chimps are about 1.5 to 2 times stronger than the average human. Therefore, in a head-to-head encounter, a gorilla’s sheer weight and force would likely overwhelm the smaller chimpanzee.

Chimpanzee troops, however, are not to be underestimated. Unlike gorillas, aggression and violence is inherent among chimpanzees. Battles over territory are relatively common. In some communities, hierarchy clashes are frequent. Chimps can coordinate in groups and launch planned raids. They often unleash serious harm to rivals, both within and outside their troop.

There have been documented fights between groups of chimpanzees and gorillas. In Gabon’s Loango National Park, researchers witnessed more than two dozen chimps attack five western lowland gorillas in February 2019. They captured and beat an infant gorilla to death. Later that year, 27 chimpanzees attacked seven gorillas and killed another infant gorilla. Competition over limited resources may have been a driving factor.

Which are More Dangerous to Humans?

Chimpanzees are generally considered more dangerous to humans. Their tendency to use sharp teeth and exhibit aggressive behavior can lead to unpredictable attacks. In contrast, gorillas are usually calm and only display aggression to protect their group, particularly when young are threatened. Although a gorilla can deliver a crushing blow, encounters with them are rare, and they typically avoid unnecessary conflict with humans.

Gorilla & Chimpanzee Species List

Here’s a list of subspecies of gorillas and chimpanzees:

Gorilla Species (Genus Gorilla)

• Eastern Gorilla (Gorilla beringei)
 – Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei)
 – Eastern Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri)
• Western Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla)
 – Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)
 – Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli)

Chimpanzee Species (Genus Pan)

• Common Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)
 – Central Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes troglodytes)
 – Eastern Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii)
 – Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti)
 – Western Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus)
• Bonobo (Pan paniscus) – Often considered a separate species, they are chimpanzees’ closest relatives.

Conservation Status

Both gorillas and chimpanzees are endangered, facing threats from habitat loss, poaching, and disease.

Gorillas, with their slower reproductive rates, are particularly vulnerable. Protected areas and eco-tourism initiatives, such as mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, have helped raise awareness and funds for conservation. Chimpanzees, while more adaptable, still suffer from the pressures of habitat fragmentation and illegal trade.

Wild gorillas do not live in Tanzania. Their native habitats lie farther west and north in Africa. Chimpanzees roam certain parts of Tanzania. Gombe Stream National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park are the key spots. Both parks sit along Lake Tanganyika in the country’s west.