gorilla vs gray wolf

Gorilla gorilla compared with Canis lupus

Key Differences

• gorilla is herbivore while gray wolf is carnivore.
• gorilla is 3.6x heavier than gray wolf.
• gorilla lives longer (40 years vs 13 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	gorilla	gray wolf
Kingdom same	Animalia (hewan)	Animalia (hewan)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (mamalia)	Mammalia (mamalia)
Order	Primates (Primata)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Hominidae (Great Apes)	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)
Genus	Gorilla (Gorillas)	Canis (Dogs & Wolves)
Species	Gorilla gorilla	Canis lupus

Evolutionary Relationship

gorilla and gray wolf share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (mamalia)

Conservation Status

gorilla

CR — Critically Endangered

Population: ~100.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

gray wolf

CR — Critically Endangered

Population: ~300.0K

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	gorilla	gray wolf
Diet	Herbivore	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	40 years	13 years
Average Length	1.7 m	1.6 m
Average Weight	160.0 kg	45.0 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.

gray wolf

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, deserts and xeric shrublands, and tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, among 13 distinct biome types. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (Seychelles), Asia (Japan), Europe (5 countries), North America (7 countries), Oceania and the Pacific (Marshall Islands, Vanuatu), and South America (5 countries). Currently classified as Critically Endangered 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.

gray wolf

The most widely distributed wild canid, gray wolves range from North America across Eurasia in diverse habitats including tundra, forests, and grasslands. Highly social animals living in family packs led by a dominant breeding pair. As keystone predators, wolves regulate prey populations and profoundly shape ecosystem structure, as demonstrated by their reintroduction in Yellowstone. Once heavily persecuted, populations are recovering in many regions.