What to do if a gorilla approaches you?

If a gorilla moves closer to you, you stay still and let him pass by. If you happen to be standing exactly where a gorilla wants to be, just give him the space and let him move as he likes. If the gorilla approaches you and then sits down, you should slowly move away to resume the 7-meter distance.

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How do you defend yourself against a gorilla?

Slowly crouch down and make yourself small. Avert your gaze from any nearby gorilla and look away. Attempt to look disinterested.
...
No matter what, never:
  1. Run from the gorilla.
  2. Show your teeth.
  3. Raise your arms and try to make yourself look bigger.
  4. Scream and shout.
  5. Thump your chest in return—not even as a joke.

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Will a wild gorilla attack you?

Besides being gentle and calm, gorillas are wild animals that can truly be dangerous if handled carelessly or threatened. In fact, gorilla attacks on human in the wild are very rare and usually motivated by a defensive instinct. A gorilla that thinks it is in danger will first make threat display noted above.

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What to do if a gorilla grabs you?

In case a gorilla charges at you, here are some of the things you will need to do.
  1. Study the gorilla's behavior. ...
  2. Stay calm, do not react. ...
  3. Be submissive. ...
  4. Crouch down and make yourself as small a target as possible. ...
  5. Stay quiet. ...
  6. Groom. ...
  7. Remain quiet and passive until the gorilla loses interest or until help arrives.

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What should you not do in front of a gorilla?

Never look directly into the Gorilla eyes: Gorillas are shy primates and after charging visitors should not look directly into the gorillas' eyes because it shows that you are ready to challenge the gorilla therefore the gorilla will attack you.

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How to Survive a Gorilla Attack

36 related questions found

Why can't you look a gorilla in the eyes?

Like shy humans, staring directly into the eyes of gorilla make them feel uncomfortable and insecure and when disrupted by your direct eye contact, they can charge aggressively at you to defend themselves.

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Will a gorilla chase you?

A gorilla is faster than most humans and running away will only encourage it to chase after you. Remaining calm and laying low will calm the primate down and stop seeing you as a threat or challenger. Gorillas never continue an attack if you stay calm and act submissive.

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Can a human win a fight against a gorilla?

No, an unarmed human being could not beat a gorilla in a fight. Simply put, gorillas are far too strong for human beings to overcome.

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What is a gorillas worst enemy?

Predators. Leopards and crocodiles are large carnivores which may prey upon gorillas. Humans are the greatest threat to all gorilla populations.

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Can you outrun a gorilla?

Highly unlikely, if no firearms or tranquilizer guns are involved. A gorilla can reach speeds of 20 mph to 25 mph. In comparison, Usain Bolt's record in the 100-meter dash roughly translates into 23 mph (Bolt reaches peak speeds of around 27 mph—but still).

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Why shouldn't you smile at a gorilla?

Although smiling is often associated with submissive or non-aggressive behavior in gorillas, eye contact is a practice that is discouraged by primatologists, as apes are likely to interpret eye contact as a challenge or a form of aggressive display.

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What are gorillas afraid of?

Certain reptiles such as chameleons and caterpillars are what are gorillas scared/afraid of. They are also afraid of water and will cross streams only if they can do so without getting wet, such as by crossing over fallen logs, and dislike rain.

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Will a gorilla hurt a human baby?

There are documented cases of apes showing extreme tenderness and care toward human children, like the 3-year-old boy who fell into the gorilla enclosure or the silverback who protected a 5-year-old boy who fell into the enclosure and even gently went away to allow human rescuers to descend into the pit and bring the ...

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Should you stare down a gorilla?

It's a challenge to gorillas

Direct eye contact will therefore force the silverback to charge and fight you in order to defend his family. If you want to be peaceful with gorillas, you should avoid eye contact.

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How aggressive is a gorilla?

Gorillas are perhaps one of the most misunderstood animals. Though they are often portrayed as dangerous and aggressive, the truth is that gorillas are gentle giants. They are shy and retiring by nature, and usually only become aggressive when they feel threatened.

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Who can beat a gorilla?

The only predator to prey on gorillas is the leopard. Walter Baumgärtel found the remains of several gorillas after they had been killed by leopards in the Virunga Volcanoes. Another case has been confirmed in Gabon, where a sick young gorilla was killed by a leopard.

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How hard can a gorilla punch?

How hard can a gorilla punch? It is believed that a gorilla punch is strong enough to shatter your skull with one slam of its arm:/Between 1300 to 2700 pounds of force. Gorillas on (avg. 400 lbs) have a muscle mass density almost 4 times higher than the most heavily muscled powerful human you know.

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Who wins tiger or gorilla?

A tiger would kill a gorilla in a fight. If a tiger managed to ambush a gorilla, the tiger would immediately kill it. Although the gorilla is strong, the fact is that it could not stop 600 pounds of charging muscle and teeth.

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Can a gorilla punch a lion?

A lion would almost certainly win in a fight against a gorilla. The reasoning should not be all that surprising. A lion will stalk and ambush a gorilla in the dense vegetation of their natural habitat by waiting until it's dark to have the edge. They have a good chance at ending the fight in seconds.

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Do gorillas know how do you punch?

Great apes like chimps, bonobos and gorillas can't make fists with their hands, so they can't actually punch, making it difficult to directly compare our fighting abilities with theirs.

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Who wins lion or gorilla?

Ultimately, we believe the odds are in the gorilla's favor. However, alone and at night the lion will have a strong advantage. If the lion can get in close enough and score an accurate bite, he could end the fight before it even begins. However, a gorilla is a mighty foe with more stamina and fearsome strength.

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How would a gorilla react to a human?

Generally, gorillas are very shy and reserved towards people. They will attack only if they are surprised or threatened or if a person behaves in the wrong way. If the human makes an unexpected movement, the silverback male can react with horrific roaring and bluff charges.

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What does chest beating mean to a gorilla?

The larger male apes have lower frequencies in their pounds and may use chest-beating to signal their social status, strength, and size to others.

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