Imagine a creature so powerful it can bend thick branches with ease—gorillas are just that, and they’re one of the largest living apes. Belonging to the family of great apes, alongside chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans, gorillas are known for their immense strength and gentle, social nature despite their intimidating size.

Native to the forests of Central Africa, gorillas live in tight-knit groups led by a dominant male called a silverback, named for the silver-gray hair on his back. Unlike monkeys, apes like gorillas lack tails and have more human-like shoulder structures, allowing them to walk on their knuckles. Their diet is mostly vegetarian, consisting of leaves, stems, and fruit, which they forage in dense jungles.

Here’s a surprising tidbit: gorillas share about 98% of their DNA with humans, making them one of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. They even display emotions like grief and joy, often seen in how they care for their young or mourn lost group members. Their critically endangered status due to habitat loss and poaching highlights the urgent need to protect these majestic creatures and their forest homes for future generations to marvel at.