gorilla vs Lion

Gorilla gorilla compared with Panthera leo

Key Differences

• gorilla is Critically Endangered while Lion is Vulnerable.
• gorilla is herbivore while Lion is carnivore.
• gorilla lives longer (40 years vs 15 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	gorilla	Lion
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Primates (Primates)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Hominidae (Great Apes)	Felidae (Cats)
Genus	Gorilla (Gorillas)	Panthera (Big Cats)
Species	Gorilla gorilla	Panthera leo

Evolutionary Relationship

gorilla and Lion share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

gorilla

CR — Critically Endangered

Population: ~100.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Lion

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~23.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	gorilla	Lion
Diet	Herbivore	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	40 years	15 years
Average Length	1.7 m	2.5 m
Average Weight	160.0 kg	190.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

gorilla

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 4 distinct biome types within the Afrotropic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Cameroon, Congo (Republic), Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Lion

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 7 distinct biome types spanning the Afrotropic and Neotropic and Oceanian realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Colombia, Ecuador, and Kenya. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

gorilla

The world's largest primate, western gorillas weigh up to 180 kg and inhabit the tropical and subtropical forests of equatorial Africa. Primarily herbivorous, living in family groups led by a silverback male who protects the troop and mediates social conflicts. Critically Endangered, with populations threatened by deforestation, poaching for bushmeat, and outbreaks of Ebola virus disease.

Lion

The largest wild cat in Africa, lions reach up to 250 kg and are the only social felids, living in prides across sub-Saharan savannas and grasslands. Males are distinguished by their iconic manes. As apex predators, they regulate herbivore populations and maintain ecosystem balance. Listed as Vulnerable due to habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.