What Is a Gorilla?
A gorilla is a mammal and an ape. It has hair, breathes air and does not have a tail.
Gorillas eat leaves, stems and fruit. They live in forests in Africa.
Gorilla
A gorilla is a big, strong animal. It has dark hair, long arms and no tail. Gorillas live in forests in Africa.
Fun Facts About Gorillas
- A baby gorilla is called an infant.
- Gorillas are the biggest apes.
- A gorilla has long, strong arms.
- Gorillas make a soft nest to rest in.
Easy learning for little ones
Talk and Move
Try one short prompt at a time. Children can point, speak or copy the movement.
- 1
Point to the gorilla's strong arms.
- 2
Say “gorilla” and touch your chest.
- 3
Pretend to gather leaves for a meal.
Home, Food and Movement
- Home: forests in Africa
- Food: leaves, stems and fruit
- Movement: walks and climbs
- Sound: grunts, hoots and roars
Easy Practice Sentences
Easy: I see a gorilla.
Medium: The gorilla has long arms.
Challenge: The gorilla eats leaves in the forest.
Say each sentence aloud and point to the picture.
Activity Idea
Make a gorilla forest picture.
- Draw trees, leaves and grass.
- Draw a gorilla with long arms.
- Add hands, feet and dark hair.
- Tell a grown-up what your gorilla eats.
This activity helps children draw, speak and learn about a gorilla’s home.
Gorilla Body Parts
- Arms: help the gorilla walk and climb
- Hands: help it hold food and branches
- Feet: help it move and balance
- Eyes: help it see
- Hair: covers most of its body
Look and Think
- Can you point to the gorilla’s arms?
- What colour is its hair?
- Can you find its hands?
- Does the gorilla have a tail?
Learning Safely About Gorillas
- Gorillas are wild animals. Never go near one.
- Never touch or feed a gorilla.
- Stay with a grown-up at the zoo.
- Always stay behind the safety fence.
Compare and Think
- Gorilla and monkey: both can climb, but a gorilla has no tail
- Gorilla and chimpanzee: both are apes, but a gorilla is bigger
- Gorilla and bear: both are big and furry, but a gorilla has hands
Life in a Gorilla Group
Gorillas often live together in a family group. They eat, rest and move together.
Grown-up gorillas look after the babies. Young gorillas learn by watching and playing.
Why Gorillas Need Protection
Gorillas need safe forests, food and clean water.
People can protect the forests where gorillas live.
Gorilla Words to Learn
- Infant: a baby gorilla
- Ape: an animal like a gorilla that has no tail
- Nest: a soft place where a gorilla rests
- Hair: covers most of a gorilla’s body
- Habitat: an animal’s home
Check understanding
Quick Questions
Say each answer aloud. Then check it with a grown-up.
Q1
Where do wild gorillas live?
Answer
Wild gorillas live in forests in Africa.
Q2
What does a gorilla eat?
Answer
A gorilla eats leaves, stems and fruit.
Q3
Does a gorilla have a tail?
Answer
No. A gorilla does not have a tail.
Q4
What is a baby gorilla called?
Answer
A baby gorilla is called an infant.