Chimpanzee or gorilla?
How to tell them apart
A chimpanzee is far smaller and lighter, at 26–70 kg, and much less robustly built.
Quick answers
They differ on 1 of the 8 quick answers: carnivore.
| Question | Chimpanzee | Gorilla |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Mammal | Mammal |
| Carnivore? differs | Omnivore | No, herbivore |
| Dangerous? | Can be | Can be |
| Domesticated? | No | No |
| Awake when? | Daytime | Daytime |
| Hibernates? | No | No |
| Kept as a pet? | No | No |
| Do people eat it? | No | No |
At a glance
| Question | Chimpanzee | Gorilla |
|---|---|---|
| Found in | Africa | Africa |
| Habitat differs | Rainforest, Forest, Grassland | Rainforest, Forest, Mountains |
| Size differs | Medium | Large |
| Length differs | 63.5–92.5 cm | – |
| Height differs | – | 1.25–1.8 m, depending on species and sex |
| Weight differs | 26–70 kg | 68–227 kg, depending on species and sex |
| Legs | 2 | 2 |
| Covered in | Fur | Fur |
| Lives | In troops | In troops |
| Lives for differs | 40 years | 35–40 years |
| Can fly | No | No |
| Swims | No | No |
| Lays eggs | No | No |
About each
Chimpanzee
A great ape of the forests and savannas of equatorial Africa and, with the bonobo, humanity’s closest living relative. Chimpanzees live in communities that can top 200 members, split into smaller foraging parties by day.
Everything on the chimpanzee page
Gorilla
The largest living primates: great apes of the tropical forests of equatorial Africa, living in troops led by a silverback male. There are two species, the eastern and the western gorilla.
Everything on the gorilla page
Sources
Last reviewed . The answers and notes come from each animal's own page, where every source is listed.
How each answer is decided: How we answer. More look-alikes: Side by side.