Orangutan vs. Gorilla — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 6, 2023
Orangutans are arboreal primates with reddish-brown hair, while gorillas are larger, ground-dwelling primates with dark hair.
Difference Between Orangutan and Gorilla
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Orangutans, with their distinctive reddish-brown hair, are known for their intelligence and are native to Indonesia and Malaysia. Gorillas, recognizable by their dark hair and muscular build, are found in various parts of central Africa.
The orangutan lives primarily in trees and is considered the world's largest arboreal animal, whereas the gorilla spends much of its time on the ground within forested areas. Orangutans are also more solitary compared to the highly social gorillas, which live in groups.
Orangutans are primarily frugivorous, meaning they eat mostly fruit, but also consume leaves, bark, and insects. Gorillas have a more varied diet, including stems, bamboo shoots, and sometimes small insects or worms.
The lifespan of an orangutan can be up to 50 years, with females caring for their young for many years. Gorillas can live to around 35-40 years in the wild, with a social structure that includes one dominant male, several females, and their offspring.
Both orangutans and gorillas face threats from habitat destruction and poaching. Conservation efforts for orangutans focus on preserving rainforests, while gorilla conservation includes anti-poaching patrols and habitat protection.
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Comparison Chart
Habitat
Rainforests of Indonesia and Malaysia
Forests of central Africa
Size and Build
Smaller and lighter with longer arms
Larger and more muscular with shorter arms
Locomotion
Arboreal, primarily living in trees
Terrestrial, primarily living on the ground
Social Structure
Solitary or small family groups
Social, with groups led by a silverback male
Diet
Mainly frugivorous, with a preference for fruit
Herbivorous, with a diet of leaves, stems, and shoots
Compare with Definitions
Orangutan
Orangutans are intelligent primates that use tools and have complex social relationships.
The orangutan used a stick to retrieve termites from a log.
Gorilla
Gorillas are known for their strong social structures and protective nature.
The silverback gorilla watched over his troop with vigilance.
Orangutan
Orangutans are mostly solitary and have a slow reproduction rate.
A mother orangutan typically raises her young alone.
Gorilla
Gorillas communicate using a variety of sounds and gestures within their groups.
The gorillas communicated with grunts and chest beats.
Orangutan
Orangutans are great apes with long arms and reddish-brown hair native to Asian rainforests.
The orangutan swung gracefully from tree to tree.
Gorilla
Gorillas are critically endangered, primarily due to habitat destruction and poaching.
Rangers are tasked with protecting gorillas from poachers.
Orangutan
Orangutans are endangered species due to habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade.
Conservationists are working hard to protect orangutan habitats.
Gorilla
Gorillas are the largest primates with dark hair and are native to African forests.
The gorilla sat contemplatively in the shade of the jungle canopy.
Orangutan
Orangutans have distinctive facial features and are known for their gentle demeanor.
The orangutan's expressive face seemed almost human.
Gorilla
Gorillas are ground-dwelling, predominantly herbivorous great apes that inhabit the tropical forests of central Sub-Saharan Africa. The genus Gorilla is divided into two species: the eastern gorillas and the western gorillas, and either four or five subspecies.
Orangutan
Orangutans are great apes native to the rainforests of Indonesia and Malaysia. They are now found only in parts of Borneo and Sumatra, but during the Pleistocene they ranged throughout Southeast Asia and South China.
Gorilla
Either of two large apes (Gorilla gorilla or G. beringei) native to the forests of equatorial Africa, having a stocky body and coarse dark brown or black hair.
Orangutan
Either of two large arboreal apes, Pongo pygmaeus of Borneo or P. abelii of Sumatra, having a shaggy reddish-brown coat, very long arms, and no tail.
Gorilla
A powerfully built, aggressive, and often crude man.
Orangutan
Any of three species of arboreal anthropoid ape, characterised by their shaggy reddish-brown coat and long arms, which comprise the genus Pongo; Pongo pygmaeus of Borneo, Pongo abelii of Sumatra or Pongo tapanuliensis of South Tapanuli (in Sumatra).
Gorilla
A thug.
Orangutan
Large long-armed ape of Borneo and Sumatra having arboreal habits
Gorilla
The largest of the apes, belonging to the genus Gorilla, native to the forests of central Africa and known for their trait of knuckle-walking.
Gorilla
A big and brutish man or a thug; a goon or ruffian.
Gorilla
(informal) A powerful person or organization; a heavyweight or behemoth.
Gorilla
A large, arboreal, anthropoid ape of West Africa. It is larger than a man, and is remarkable for its massive skeleton and powerful muscles, which give it enormous strength. In some respects its anatomy, more than that of any other ape, except the chimpanzee, resembles that of man.
Gorilla
Largest anthropoid ape; terrestrial and vegetarian; of forests of central west Africa
Gorilla
Gorillas are predominantly herbivorous, eating plants and occasionally insects.
The gorilla foraged for shoots and leaves as its primary food source.
Common Curiosities
Are orangutans endangered?
Yes, orangutans are critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.
What is a gorilla?
A gorilla is a very large, dark-haired primate native to African forests.
Where do orangutans live?
Orangutans live in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra.
What is an orangutan?
An orangutan is a large, red-haired primate from the rainforests of Southeast Asia.
What do orangutans eat?
Orangutans primarily eat fruit, but also leaves, bark, and insects.
What do gorillas eat?
Gorillas eat mostly plant material like leaves, stems, and bamboo shoots, and occasionally insects.
Can orangutans use tools?
Yes, orangutans are known to use tools in the wild.
Are gorillas endangered?
Yes, gorillas are considered critically endangered due to similar threats.
How do gorillas move?
Gorillas are terrestrial and move by knuckle-walking on the ground.
Where do gorillas live?
Gorillas live in the forests of central Sub-Saharan Africa.
How do orangutans move?
Orangutans are arboreal and move by brachiation, swinging from tree to tree.
Can gorillas use tools?
Gorillas have been observed using tools in captivity and occasionally in the wild.
How long do orangutans live?
Orangutans can live up to 50 years in the wild.
What is the social structure of gorillas?
Gorillas live in groups led by a dominant male, with several females and offspring.
How do orangutans communicate?
Orangutans communicate with vocalizations, gestures, and facial expressions.
How do gorillas communicate?
Gorillas use a range of sounds, gestures, and body postures to communicate.
How long do gorillas live?
Gorillas can live up to 35-40 years in the wild.
What is the social structure of orangutans?
Orangutans are generally solitary but may form loose groupings, particularly mother and offspring.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
