Gorillas – Nature Noon

Gorilla vs. Hippo: Who Wins in a Fight?

Here’s who wins in a fight between a gorilla and a hippo: Even though gorillas have an impressively strong bite and can cause serious damage, still they are no match for a hippo’s bite force. Hippos can deliver a 2000 PSI (pounds per square inch) when biting and gorillas have a biting force of 1300 PSI. So if you want to learn all about who wins in a fight between a gorilla and a hippo, then you’re in the right place. Let’s get started! Who Wins in a Fight Between a Gorilla and a Hippo? In a hypothetical fight between a hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibious) and a gorilla, the hippo will come out victorious. The sheer size of the hippo is the animal’s biggest advantage. As big as gorillas are, hippos are still much bigger. Other factors that would affect the outcome are strength, skill, and intelligence. Although the gorilla is more skillful and more intelligent than the hippo, its massive size disadvantage is simply too much to overcome. Thus the undisputed winner is the hippopotamus. The chances of actually seeing a hippo fight a gorilla, however, are close to zero. Since both species cannot clash in natural real-life settings, determining a theoretical winner requires examining and comparing some key facts about hippos and gorillas. Only then can we make a fair prediction. What Is the Basic Information on Gorillas and Hippos? Gorillas are the largest living primates on Earth. They are mainly herbivores that consume stems, leaves, and fruits. Five percent of their diet consists of animal protein coming from ants, termites, and larvae. These are social animals that live in groups or families ranging from 2 to 30 individuals. At the top of the group, there is a dominant male leader called a “silverback.” Wild gorillas can only be found on the African continent in the tropical and subtropical forests south of the Sahara Desert. Wild gorillas are the most endangered of all ape species. Strict laws protect the 200,000 specimens left in the world. Gorillas are very intelligent and can produce more than 24 different vocalization sounds, each containing a different message. Captive gorillas are thought by some to have an IQ between 75 and 100 (the human average is around 100), though many skeptics doubt this claim. Hippopotamuses are half-terrestrial, half-aquatic animals that also inhabit sub-Saharan regions. They prefer areas with abundant water where they spend 16 hours a day cooling and keeping their skin moist. Gorillas, on the contrary, are afraid of water because they don’t know how to swim. Hippos are nocturnal animals and can be mostly seen foraging during the night. They are the third-largest terrestrial mammal, right behind elephants and rhinos. Even though they may appear as humongous pigs, biologically hippos are more similar to dolphins, whales, and porpoises. With only 150,000 wild hippopotamuses left in the wild, the species is considered vulnerable. Despite being related to whales, they are not as intelligent. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re stupid, though. What Is the Behavior of Gorillas and Hippos? Generally speaking, gorillas are very peaceful and quiet creatures. They keep their business to themselves and only engage in confrontation when it is of utmost necessity. Confronting with intruders, threats or other gorillas starts with screams, barks, and roars. They can be especially dangerous when provoked. You can’t qualify gorillas as territorial animals because they sometimes tolerate members of different groups coming to visit when mutual territories overlap. Hippos for the most part are also social animals. Their groups are called hippo schools and consist of 10 to 30 individuals. All hippos are highly territorial and don’t tolerate other beings invading their habitats. Interestingly, hippos are territorial only in the water. On land they tend to ignore other beings, so there is a situational change of character. They have such bad tempers and aggressiveness that sometimes adults kill younger hippos for no evident reason. Before they attack, they display their deadly teeth to scare off threats. Which Animal Is Bigger: The Gorilla or the Hippo? Weighing anywhere between 3,300 and 4,000 pounds (1,496–1,814 kilograms), the hippo is almost 10 times bigger than a gorilla. Male gorillas usually don’t weigh more than 450 pounds (204 kilograms), with their average weight being around 300 pounds (136 kilograms). Female hippos are lighter. They weight around 3,000 pounds (1,361 kilograms), while female gorillas can weigh between 150 and 200 pounds (68–91 kilograms). The length of hippos is from 11 to 17 feet (3.3–5.1 meters), and they are 5.2 feet (1.58 meters) tall at the shoulder line. Gorillas can reach heights between 4.1 and 6 feet (1.25–1.85 meters). Does a Gorilla Bite Stronger Than a Hippo? Even though gorillas have an impressively strong bite and can cause serious damage, still they are no match for a hippo’s bite force. Hippos can deliver a 2000 PSI (pounds per square inch) when biting and gorillas have a biting force of 1300 PSI. A hippo’s killing power is not just in the ferocious biting strength, but also in the possibility to open its mouth at a 180-degree angle. They don’t always use their mouths first in fights and more often rely on their enormous size to pursue and knock enemies on the ground. A gorilla’s bite force is a direct result of an herbivorous diet that made their jaw muscles and neck muscles pump up. What Are the Strength, Speed, and Endurance of Gorillas and Hippos? Scientists estimate that gorillas can lift a weight 27 times heavier than their own bodyweight. That would come to 4,000 pounds (1,810 kilograms) of deadweight. Needless to say, hippos aren’t able to use their legs for lifting, so no comparison there. What we can compare is the running speed. Although you might imagine hippos as clumsy and slow, they can run at 30 miles per hour (48 kilometers per hour). Because of their bulky build, they can’t maintain the high speed for more than a couple of seconds, but that’s usually long enough for an attack. …

Animals

Gorilla vs. Lion: Who Wins in a Fight?

Here’s who wins in a fight between a gorilla and a lion: Although the odds are in the gorilla’s favor due to its intelligence and strength, you can’t dismiss the king of the jungle just yet. In dense forests, gorillas have an obvious advantage, while lions have an advantage in open fields like savannahs. So if you want to learn all about who wins in a fight between a gorilla and a lion, then you’re in the right place. Let’s get started! Who Wins in a Fight Between a Gorilla and a Lion? Both gorillas and lions are very strong and very dangerous, yet only one can win. Who is the better fighter of these two African wild beasts? The odds are in the favor of the gorilla because of its intelligence and strength, but you can’t write the king of the jungle off just yet. The gorilla has an obvious advantage in a dense forest, while lions have an advantage in open fields such as the savannahs they call home. It’s impossible for a group of lions to strategically attack in a forest, and a lion is vulnerable when fighting alone. In this scenario, the gorilla is the obvious winner. On the other hand, large male gorillas are sometimes taken down by leopards. Leopards are more agile than lions, but probably not stronger. So, if a leopard can kill a gorilla, a lion can, too. How Can a Lion Kill a Gorilla? The lion just needs to use its stealth. If it comes close enough and scores an accurate bite, the fight will probably end before it even begins. However, if a gorilla notices the predator, it will start throwing objects and punches while making use of its enormous endurance to come out victorious. In this fight, the gorilla’s biggest disadvantage is that the whole thing goes completely against its nature. A silverback gorilla (the name for adult males) is not a predator. His strength is just for show. Another problem might be that, when he gets in trouble, he depends solely on himself. The other silverbacks likely won’t fight with him, as lions do in pride. The pairing of these two tough individuals doesn’t have an obvious outcome, unlike other animal rivalries. Both gorillas and lions have their fair share of strengths and advantages that are unique to their species. Power of the Limbs Lions have short legs and strong claws. They use them to inflict both blunt and cutting blows. Gorillas have very strong and long arms. Even though they don’t have claws, they use their hands to craft rocks and trees as weapons. Who Has a Greater Bite Force? The large canine teeth in gorillas are not designed to rip off flesh but instead to intimidate potential opponents. Their teeth can reach 2 inches (5 centimeters) long. Comparatively, a lion’s canine teeth are twice the length of the gorilla’s. They are also used for tearing flesh. Lions have a bite force of around 650 pounds per square inch. Surprisingly enough, gorillas can bite with an incredible 1300 pounds per square inch of force. Their strong jaw muscles and massive necks make the production of such a bite force possible. However, gorillas are more likely to use their limbs and body weight in fights, rather than their mouths. Do Gorillas and Lions Cross Paths in Nature? Lions and gorillas inhabit some of the same general areas of the world, but their habitats are much too different for them to cross paths. Gorillas live deep in the jungles and never leave them. Lions have never been seen entering jungles at all. They live in the wide-open savannahs, where gorillas have never been known to go. Geographical Distribution of African Lions All the subspecies of African lions are separated by large territorial expanses that don’t have any lions living in them. While in the past the vast majority of the African continent had lions roaming free, their current range is restricted to small, widely dispersed areas in southern and central Africa. There were times when lions could be found from India to Greece, but humans decimated these populations step by step over the centuries. Only the Gir Forest National Park in India still serves as a sanctuary for a small population of Asiatic lions. Lion prides live on savannahs and grasslands that are close to rivers and other freshwater sources. They fight and hunt in open areas, and it’s harder for them to get around in densely packed woods. That’s why they don’t reside in forest habitats within their range. Geographical Distribution of Gorillas Gorillas live in jungles spread around the mountain ranges in Africa. Lowland or western gorillas live in the forests of equatorial Africa. Populations can be found in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic. Eastern gorillas have the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo as their natural habitat. There are lowland and mountain eastern gorillas. Mountain gorillas live at elevations between 8000 and 13000 feet (2.4 to 4 kilometers). Are Lions or Gorillas Bigger Threats to Humans? Approximately 200 people die each year as a result of lion attacks. Lions are a bigger threat to humans than gorillas are because they attack to kill, not merely to defend themselves. Gorillas can be dangerous to humans only when they feel threatened and need to protect their troops. They would like to avoid attacking you as much as possible and would make a lot of noises at first to scare you away. There are no known cases of humans being killed by captive or wild gorillas to date. Who Runs Faster? Lions can reach a maximum speed of 50 miles per hour (80 kilometers per hour). Due to lack of stamina, they can hold it only for a short time. Most species of gorillas can run with a speed of 20 miles per hour (32 kilometers per hour) for long bursts. Some silverbacks …

Animals

Gorilla vs. Rhino: Who Wins in a Fight?

Here’s whether a gorilla or a rhino would win in a fight: The rhino is much heavier, faster, and happier to fight than the gorilla. With its horn or lower teeth, a rhino could impale and throw a gorilla, resulting in a win. Neither gorilla species would be able to defeat either rhino species. So if you want to learn all about whether a gorilla or a rhino wins in a fight, then this article is for you. Let’s get started! Who Wins in a Fight Between a Gorilla and Rhino? Rhinos are a lot heavier, faster, and happy to fight than gorillas are. If a rhino were to impale and throw a gorilla with its horn or slash with its lower teeth, it would most definitely win the fight. Gorillas and rhinos have no obvious reason for getting in a fight, which is good news for the gorilla. Both animals are on the more defensive side because neither of them is a predator. They carefully observe their surroundings for possible dangers to their groups. If they attack in an attempt to defend, once the danger passes, their aggression will quickly vanish. The difference in size and weight between different species of rhinos is significant. The two species of gorillas and their respective subspecies are pretty much equal in size. However, neither gorilla species would be able to defeat either of the rhino species in a fight. How Do Rhinos Defend Themselves? Rhinos defend themselves by charging whatever threat crosses their paths. Although peaceful, they are far from being true pacifists. Once in a fight, they become very aggressive. One of their best defensive attributes is the thickness of their skin. Just like elephants, rhinos have skin that’s 2 inches (5 centimeters) thick. That makes it hard to penetrate, but rhinos are still sensitive to sunburns. That’s why they spend a lot of their time in mud avoiding the sun’s rays. How Do Gorillas Defend Themselves? Gorillas don’t attack other gorillas and animals if there isn’t a reason for it. When a threat is lurking from the shadows, it’s time for the alpha male gorillas, called “silverbacks,” to step in and defend the group. The silverback is the leader of the group. The large silverbacks will try to avoid fighting as much as possible. A gorilla tries to scare off his opponent before engaging. To do this, he stands on his back legs in an upright stance and starts beating his chest, producing intimidating sounds. The large canine teeth serve as a warning to potential opponents. If that doesn’t solve the problem, the silverback will most likely charge at the threat. How Do Rhinos Attack? If a rhino charges at its opponent, two things can happen. If it’s an African rhino, it will use the horns for fighting in an attempt to either impale or throw its adversaries. Asian rhinos fight by using their bottom teeth in a slashing motion. When it’s other species, the rhino will likely end the attack once it sees the threat is walking away or is immobilized; when it’s one of their own kind getting on their nerves, it gets a little messy. Rhinos are known for fighting each other to death. Of all the rhino species, the black rhino is the most aggressive one. They have the highest rate of deadly combat of all mammals. Approximately 30 percent of black rhino females and 50 percent of males die as a result of injuries inflicted by mutual combat. How Do Gorillas Attack? Gorillas often attempt to harm their opponents by throwing rocks at them or using strong sticks for beating. These primates are intelligent and know that they can use weapons to inflict damage from a safe distance. However, when the fight gets really wild, they will use punches and bites to win. There’s no real strategy other than pushing and giving punches with every single muscle in their massive bodies. Bites are rare, but they can happen as well. Why Do Rhinos Need Their Horns? Rhinos have horns for multiple reasons. The horns are tools that make their way of life a lot easier in the harsh African environment. On the nutritional aspect, rhinos use their horns to dig for water and break branches for food. The horn is also a weapon that can be used both for attacking and defending. Primarily, rhinos charge other competitors with their horns pointed at them to defend territories and to defend their calves. Who Has Better Hearing and Eyesight? Rhinos have really bad eyesight. They are not able to spot a motionless person at a distance greater than 100 feet (30 meters). What gets them around is their strong sense of smell. Gorillas, on the contrary, have pretty good eyesight. Because their eyes are on the front of their heads, they have binocular vision that creates a three-dimensional image with the ability to correctly visualize objects at greater distances. Rhinos have excellent hearing, mostly because of cone-shaped ears that can pick up even the tiniest of sounds. Gorillas are vocal animals that communicate with a variety of noises to keep themselves safe. They can hear their family members and unusual noises quite well. Do Rhinos and Gorillas Meet in the Wild? Rhinos and gorillas don’t meet in nature. Gorillas live in dense forests, and their usual neighbors are forest buffalos, forest elephants, forest hogs, and leopards. Rhinos mainly roam the open savannahs and grasslands along with the other wild animals that prefer open fields. Running Speed Rhinos are very fast and can run at an amazing 25–34 miles per hour (40–55 kilometers per hour) for long periods. Gorillas can reach a maximum of 25 miles per hour (40 kilometers per hour) and hold the speed for a short while because their habitats don’t support long runs. What Are the Natural Enemies of Gorillas and Rhinos? There are no real predators to pose a threat to adult rhinos. The rhinos sometimes fight elephants for territory. Even …

Animals

Punch of a Gorilla: How Strong?

Here’s how strong the punch of a gorilla is: Typical gorilla punches deliver 1300–2700 pounds of force. Consider that the average, untrained human throws a punch with roughly 150 pounds of force. Boxers average 750 pounds of force, which is more than the average puncher but still far less than the gorilla. So if you want to learn all about the punch power of a gorilla, then this article is for you. Let’s jump right in! How Strong Is the Punch of a Gorilla? The average gorilla punch delivers 1300–2700 pounds of force. To put that into perspective, consider the fact that the average, untrained human throws a punch with around 150 pounds of force. Trained boxers average 750 pounds of force—better than the untrained puncher but still nowhere near as powerful as the gorilla. One significant contributor to the powerful gorilla punch is the length of the animals’ arms. Also, gorillas have dense muscle mass. The muscle density is four times higher than most professional human fighters. Their muscle mass and massive arms both contribute to their incredible power—it’s a little trick of nature known as “robustness.” You can find footage displaying the strength of gorillas. The animals often pull banana trees over and break them in half as if they’re tiny branches. Surprisingly enough, there’s no committed scientific research on the strength of gorillas. Most of the accumulated data comes from assumptions and comparisons. What Would Happen if You Got Punched by a Gorilla? Gorillas are peaceful animals. It’s almost impossible to get them to fight unless they feel threatened by your actions. However, if you push them too far, you can get yourself in serious trouble. A direct hit to the head will crush a human’s skull, which can take 550 pounds of force—a lot less than what a gorilla’s arm can produce. Punches in the torso can lead to broken ribs, organ rupture, severe bleeding, and eventually death. There’s no doubt that a single gorilla punch is enough to break a human being’s leg or arm. Large Gorilla Arms Did you know that the arms of the gorillas are much longer than their legs? Their stocky legs are approximately 20 percent shorter than their giant arms. The arm span in adult male gorillas stretches from 7-feet and 7-inches to 8-feet 6-inches (2.3–2.6 meters) and from 4-feet 1-inch to 4 feet 11 inches (1.25–1.5 meters) in females. Their arm span is approximately 1 foot (30 centimeters) longer than the arm span of the average male human. Can a Human Punch as Strong as a Gorilla? A human can train his whole life, build muscle, and dedicate himself to becoming the strongest person on the planet, but they still won’t be able to punch as powerfully as a gorilla. There’s a vast difference in certain biological and anatomical characteristics (such as the manner of walking) between humans and gorillas. One of those differences is the drastic difference in arm development. Humans simply are not anatomically capable of punching as powerfully as a gorilla. When Do Gorillas Punch? There are a few situations in which the traditionally peaceful gorilla becomes an unstoppable beast. An adult male, called a “silverback,” starts throwing punches whenever his group is attacked or threatened. These males protect what they love, sometimes with their lives. Males can show aggression towards other males to establish dominance. This rarely leads to a fight. Weird noises and chest punches are generally enough. Females can be aggressive towards other females, as well. Sometimes, though, the silverbacks go off. They bite, bash, and throw punches. Everyone and everything has a limit—including gorillas. How Strong Is a Gorilla Compared to a Human? Only a relatively few humans have bodybuilder physiques, but all gorillas do. Gorillas are hulking, powerful creatures. Can a human bodybuilder’s strength compare with an average gorilla? As the largest primates walking on the planet, gorillas are the strongest ones, as well. They rank near the top of the strength hierarchy of all animals on Earth, in fact. Silverbacks can weigh between 287 and 507 pounds (130 and 230 kilograms). The average human weights approximately 177 pounds (80 kilograms). That means an average male human can be two to three times smaller than a silverback. How Much Weight Can a Gorilla Lift? Scientists believe that gorillas are four to eight times stronger than the average male human. Their exceptionally muscular build makes it possible for them to lift a load of 1800 lbs (815). A well-trained bodybuilder and a dead-lift professional can lift a maximum of 900 lbs (410 kg). That’s two times less than a gorilla that didn’t dedicate its life to lifting. Some claim that gorillas can lift a 4–27 times their body weight, but that cannot be easily confirmed. If, for example, a gorilla is 500 lbs (227 kg), 27 times its body weight is 13500 lbs (6130 kg). The African bush elephant is the largest living terrestrial animal and weighs around 13000 pounds. It’s highly unlikely that even the strongest silverback can lift an African elephant by himself. Can a Human Fight a Gorilla? A human can fight a gorilla, but the outcome wouldn’t be good. The gorilla is simply too powerful. If you had to go up against any animal in the world, a gorilla would be one of the worst draws you could get. You can only survive a gorilla fight if the gorilla chooses to let you, assuming you’re unarmed. When gorillas fight, they abide by the laws of nature. There are no legal setbacks or moral concerns to stop them from seriously hurting their enemy. The moral and legal rules of human society usually keep us from severely harming others. Such is not the case with gorillas. Their potential savagery can be observed from situations when one silverback male fights another one. A large limitation for the gorillas compared to humans is that they don’t participate in practicing martial arts. Such combat sports teach humans how to use what they …

Animals

Gorilla vs. Elephant: Who Wins in a Fight?

Here’s whether a gorilla or an elephant wins in a fight: A silverback gorilla can do absolutely nothing to an adult elephant. A gorilla can throw rocks, wield a stick, slap, punch, and bite, but it will only scratch the elephant. Elephants are the largest land mammals in the world. Even a handful of gorillas in an organized attack would be unable to defeat an adult one. If you want to learn all about why an elephant has the upper hand against a gorilla, then this article is for you. Let’s get started! How Can a Gorilla Kill an Adult Elephant? An adult male gorilla (silverback) can’t defeat a healthy, adult elephant. It may be able to win if the elephant is terminally ill or very young. A gorilla’s only advantage is its ability to use objects as weapons, but that’s too elementary to threaten elephants. If gorillas don’t find a way to produce mechanized weapons or firearms, there’s no real chance to defeat a healthy adult elephant. The Skin vs. The Teeth An elephant’s skin is 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick in most places. The gorilla’s upper and lower canines are 2 inches (5 cm) long. So, a silverback would be able to penetrate the elephant’s skin if he got close enough to bite. How and When Do Elephants Fight? Male elephants mostly fight other males to claim dominance. The testosterone that rises during monsoon season drives the Asian species of elephants to a state known as “musth.” When in musth, male elephants become aggressive, restless, and eager to fight. Why these elephants become aggressive during monsoon season remains a mystery. Females go into heat throughout the whole year, so that’s probably not reason. Elephants are more likely to attack humans during monsoon season, as well. Studies show a higher incidence of elephant-related deaths in humans during this period. While there’s a periodic pattern for the musth phenomenon in Asian elephants, their African counterparts are different. They can go into musth that lasts 1-3 months once, twice, or three times per year, regardless of environmental factors. The tusks and trunks reach their full potential during musth. Only the African elephants have tusks, and they use them for fighting. They fight with their tusks locked and with the trunks draped over them. Asian elephants lacking tusks fight by pushing their heads against their opponents. At the same time, they hold their trunks in their mouths to avoid accidentally stepping on them. An Elephant’s Tusks and Trunk The tusk of a male adult elephant weighs between 110 and 175 lbs (50-79 kg). A female’s tusk is quite lighter at 40-44 lbs (18-20 kg). There are cases of extraordinarily large tusks. The heaviest one ever weighed was 220 lbs (100 kg). Anatomically, the trunk is an unusual combination of a nose and upper lip with nostrils at the tip. This large and powerful weapon weighs around 290 lbs (130 kg) and is capable of lifting a 550 lbs (250 kg) load. Can Elephants Become Aggressive? Yes, elephants can be aggressive towards other species. It usually happens when they are sick, injured, or harassed. Mother elephants get defensive of their calves. When an elephant feels threatened, it mainly wants to show its superior strength and social position to its opponent. The angry males stare into the eyes of the threat, spread their ears out, and raise their heads and tusks high. In severe cases, elephants attack by charging the opponent. Using its tusks, the animal will gore, throw, and crush the victims along with continuous stomping. Elephants can tear down trees and flip cars. They can run at a 25 mph (40 km/h), so there’s minimal chance of getting away alive. Gorilla runs at approximately the same speed. It’s also got good endurance. Gorillas are one of the rare animal species that might get past a charging elephant. What Can Kill an Elephant? Few animals in the world can kill or seriously harm an elephant. Some of them fight with elephants for food and others for territory. In any case, if the elephant loses, it’s probably because it was too young, too old, or too sick. The elephant’s natural enemies are: African lion Saltwater crocodile Rhino King cobra Hyena Human Inter-species clashes occur most frequently between elephants and rhinos battling for territory, followed by African lions and saltwater crocodiles hunting elephants for food. A saltwater crocodile can kill and eat a baby elephant on its own. As for the older elephants, it bites their trunks off and waits for them to die of malnutrition. Humans are the elephant’s worst enemies. Using various weapons, poachers still kill elephants today. Are Gorillas or Elephants More Dangerous to Humans? Every year, elephants kill 100 to 500 people. Sometimes they accidentally gore or step on a human, but sometimes they deliberately raid villages. Their sheer size and weight are enough to give a lethal blow with only one strike. Do Gorillas and Elephants Meet in Nature? Even though gorillas and elephants don’t meet face-to-face in nature, they do share some mutual habitats and play huge roles in their ecosystems. Dzanga-Sangha: Mutual Habitat of Gorillas and Elephants The Dzanga-Sangha is a protected landscape situated in the Congo Basin in Central Africa. The area is home to western lowland gorillas and forest elephants. The diversity of tropical rainforest ecosystems makes it possible for both species to coexist among other animals. Albertine Rift Valley—A Sanctuary for Gorillas and Elephants The Albertine Rift Valley covers parts of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is an important ecoregion that transitions from lowland to mountainous forests. Across this 750-mile (1207 km) valley roam African forest elephants and eastern lowland gorillas. Both subspecies are critically endangered, and this is one of the rare places in the world where they can meet. How Many Elephant Species Are There? There are three species of elephants: Savannah elephant (African forests) Forest elephant (African savannahs) Asian elephant Forest elephants weigh between …

Gorilla vs. Tiger: Who Wins in a Fight? (+ Vital Facts)

Animals

Tiger vs. Gorilla: Who Wins in a Fight?

Here’s who wins in a fight between a tiger and a gorilla. In most fights between a tiger and a gorilla, the tiger has more chance at defeating the gorilla. However, the gorilla is not a safe and easy target and can inflict potentially lethal blows on the tiger. Gorillas are strong enough to deter any apex predators from preying upon them. So if you want to know why the tiger might win in a fight between a gorilla, then you’re in the right place. Let’s jump right in! Who Wins in a Fight Between a Gorilla and a Tiger? Most of us believe that the lordship of the wild belongs to the big cats, with some beasts sharing power, maybe the hyena or the elephant. So it might be a pleasant surprise for many of us that one of our cousins, the gorilla, is also a strong competitor and can challenge the big cats whenever needed. Felt proud? Both the gorilla and the tiger are large animals and are strong enough to give a bloody nose to any potential enemy. So, what would a battle between the strongest of the big cats, the tiger, and the strongest of the primates, the gorilla, look like? To answer this, we must first look into the strengths and defense strategies of both. So, let’s introduce both of these contenders. Who Is the Gorilla? Evolution has created many close as well as distant relatives to us. The largest and one of our closest relatives are present in the genus Gorilla. Gorillas and humans separated from our last common ancestor about 10 million years ago. So let’s have a brief overlook of gorillas. Habitat and Species of Gorillas The strongest of primates and the pride of the Hominidae family inhabit the tropics of central Africa. They are our close cousins, and their DNA is as much as 98% similar to ours. Two species, the eastern and western gorillas, and many subspecies have been recognized. The mountain and eastern lowland gorilla are the subspecies of eastern gorilla while western lowland and cross river subspecies belong to western gorilla. Diet of Gorillas Gorillas are herbivore animals and feed on all types of vegetation, including fruits, stems, and bamboo shoots. The leaves constitute an overwhelming part (86%) of their diet. However, the western lowland gorillas are also known to eat ants and termites. They break the nests of termites and devour their larvae. Behavior of Gorillas Gorillas live in small social groups called troops. Each troop consists of 1-4 adult males (often called silverbacks), a few juveniles and immature males (the black backs), mature females, and juvenile females. In contrast to many other animals, the gorillas are generally non-territorial, meaning they are not as aggressive in defending their territory. However, they will defend their troop or status when called for, sometimes violently and to death. You might have assumed that an herbivore animal can’t challenge dangerous carnivores. That is not true for gorillas. They are mostly peaceful in stable, well-established troops and rarely fight. Nevertheless, they are strong creatures and can fight and defend themselves when necessary. Any animal stupid enough to awaken this giant is likely to suffer terribly. Appearance of Gorillas Gorillas are strongly built, quite robust, and have a strong chest. In addition, they have powerful, muscular arms, which are an estimated 15-20% larger than their legs. Their size and weight are also impressive. The male mountain gorilla can reach 300-485 lbs. (136-220 kg.) in weight and 4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 meters) in height. Physical Strength of Gorillas Their strength to body size ratio is majestic. Gorillas can be up to 10 times stronger when compared to their body weight. Their supreme strength enables them to lift enormous loads, sometimes 10 times their own weight. Their arms are long, bulky, and strong, with an average arm span of 7.5-8.5 ft (2.3-2.6 kg). These lengthy arms are used for foraging as well as for defense. Their punch strength has been estimated at 1300-2700 lbs (590-1225 kg). Jaw Structure and Biting Force of Gorillas Their jaw is strongly built, and they have 32 teeth, just like us humans. However, their teeth are stronger, and they have a crushing biting force of 1300 pounds per square inch (psi). For comparison, a human punch generates around 120-150 psi. This is way ahead of a lion (650 psi), tiger (1050 psi), or hyena (1100 psi). The grizzly bear, with 1200 psi, is a close rival. Their jaws also have canine teeth about 2 in (5 cm) long, which they use effectively during the fighting. They will also use their canines to frighten away various intruders. Who Is the Tiger? Almost all of us are familiar with these big cats. Tigers are strong, majestic, shrewd, and eye-catching creatures of the wild. At the same time, they are ferocious fighters and hunters. A brief introductory review will help you to compare them with gorillas. Habitat and Species of Tigers They traditionally inhabit the southern half of Asia, with the exception of the Arabian Peninsula. Various regional subspecies have been recognized, but the most well-known is the Bengal tigers and Siberian tigers. Diet of Tigers The tiger (Panthera tigris) is one of the apex predators out in the wild, meaning they are efficient killing machines and can kill and eat a wide array of animals, from termites to young elephants. They prefer to eat medium to large size ungulates and herbivores, such as spotted deer, zebras, water buffalo, and horses. Behavior of Tigers Tigers are territorial creatures. They are solitary and interact only briefly during mating or while sharing a kill. They prefer to stand on their hind legs and use their strong claws and teeth during an attack. This is in sharp contrast to the African and Asiatic lions, which prefer to fight static. This fighting position adds to the offensive and defensive powers, thus making them efficient killing machines. Appearance of Tigers They are light to reddish yellow (some say orange) …