The vast size of a gorilla‘s body contributes significantly to its strength. In the wild, male gorillas often weigh 300 to 500 pounds, while females weigh 150 to 250 pounds. Sexual dimorphism can be seen in the stark size disparity between men and females. Males and females of the same species might differ significantly in size or color, for example, due to sexual dimorphism. In the animal kingdom, and particularly among primates, this is fairly typical.

Orangutans and gorillas are the biggest and most powerful of the great apes. However, the way that these two apes walk around has had a significant impact on how their bodies have evolved over time. Brachiation, the act of hanging and swinging from trees to move around, is how orangutans get around. As a result, they have developed specific shoulder joints and an unusual muscle distribution. Gorillas are equipped for quadrupedal locomotion, which is four-legged walking. Gorillas possess joints that allow for steady terrestrial mobility as well as exceptionally muscular hindlimbs for propulsion and weight bearing. In these examples, orangutans and gorillas show how structure changes over time as a result of daily activity. Therefore, the way gorillas walk has had a significant impact on their musculature. Click here to learn more about gorilla functional adaptations.

The Most Weight Ever Lifted by a Gorilla

How robust are gorillas then? The record for the largest weight a gorilla has ever lifted is 1,800 pounds, according to Guinness World Records. According to some theories, gorillas are capable of lifting up to ten times their own weight. The average American male can lift 0.87 times his bodyweight, which puts it into perspective.