Unlike some theoretical fights between creatures, a gorilla and a lion could run into each other where their ranges meet. Our fight would take place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a place where lions live in the transitional area between tropical rainforest and savannah, and gorillas live in the rainforests. What would happen if a hungry lion and an enraged silverback gorilla met to fight for the title of the true ‘King of the Jungle’? We’ve broken down the most useful information needed to determine who comes out on top after this fight.
Comparing a Gorilla and Lion
The 7 Key Factors in a Fight Between Gorilla vs Lion
Several key factors can determine the outcome of a fight between a gorilla and a lion. We’ve outlined these elements in the table above, but now it’s time to analyze exactly how each would come into play.
Gorilla vs Lion: Size
In most cases, the bigger animal is going to win a fight. They tend to be stronger and capable of using that strength to kill their enemy. Interestingly, the differences between a lion and a gorilla are not that substantial in terms of their size. A large lion can weigh upwards of 500 pounds and a large gorilla will regularly weigh about 440lbs. That’s roughly the same. However, the lion’s length can be upwards of 8 feet while the gorilla only stands about 5 feet tall. In this case, the lion gets the advantage in terms of size, but not by much.
Gorilla vs Lion: Speed and Movement Type
Lions are very fast sprinters, clocking in at 35mph, faster than any gorilla can run by almost 10mph. Lions use their vast speed to build up the momentum needed to strike their enemies when ambushing them. Meanwhile, gorillas can run quickly using a knucklewalking method that sees them planting their hands in the ground and using that to help propel them forward. Not only do lions win this matchup in terms of sheer speed, but they use that speed as a weapon. A gorilla will run 25mph, but they will be wide open for an attack midstride. Lions get the advantage for speed.
Gorilla vs Lion: Bite Power
When fighting, both lions and gorillas will rely on their bite power to drive their teeth into their enemy and kill them. Although lions are renowned for their hunting prowess, their bite power measures in at 650 PSI, and that is not much stronger than a large dog. They do have massive fangs, measuring 4 inches long each. Gorillas are vicious biters, using their 1300 PSI bite strength to tear through tough plants as part of their feeding. When gorillas turn this bite strength on enemies, the results would be brutal. However, they are lacking in the fang department with just a 2-inch fang. Gorillas have an advantage in bite power, but lions have far deadlier teeth.
Gorilla vs Lion: Intelligence
When we look at raw intelligence, the gorilla has the advantage. They’re incredibly smart creatures that can use tools and have been trained to communicate with human beings through sign language. In the case of useful intelligence and applying one’s intellect to a fight, the gorilla is somewhat limited. In a fight, they could pick up and throw sticks and items at a lion, but that would not be truly useful. Lions are not as intelligent in terms of tools and communication, but they are smart. They are wise enough to prepare for attacks on enemies, waiting until they are vulnerable or bringing help to a fight. Gorillas are smarter, but lions get the advantage in useful intelligence.
Gorilla vs Lion: Senses
Gorillas’ senses are roughly similar to humans in terms of hearing and sight, but their sense of smell is refined. They can pick up on odors from other creatures, especially other gorillas. A lion’s senses are far better. They have great vision during the day and amazing night vision. They can smell prey from up to 2 miles away in the right conditions, and their hearing is also acute. Lions get the advantage in senses.
Gorilla vs Lion: Offensive Powers
The offensive powers of the gorilla are significant. They’re estimated to have 10 times their body weight in strength, and they’ll use every bit of that to slap, throw, and leap at their enemies. They can also bite and tear their enemies. Lions have a lot of power behind them, too. While not as physically strong, they can use their deadly teeth to sink into prey’s most tender areas, instantly killing them. They can also latch onto an enemy and cut them into ribbons with their claws. Although closer than other elements on this list, the lions get the edge in offensive capabilities.
Gorilla vs Lion: Predator Behaviors
On one hand, the gorilla is a rather mild and peaceful animal, using bluster, feints, and taunting to stop fights with other gorillas before they start. They’re not hunters. But when the fighting starts, they’re loud, aggressive, and utterly terrifying, landing fast blows in succession to overwhelm enemies. On the other hand, lions are born predators. They will hide, wait, and ambush prey when they have the advantage, ensuring a swift strike ends a fight before it begins. In a prolonged fight against many adversaries, they will continue battling until the bitter end, but they eventually tire. Lions do best when hunting from stealth, but they’re capable fighters in any case. As predators, lions get the edge.
Who Would Win in a Fight Between a Gorilla vs 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. From the second they crash into the gorilla, they would start landing a powerful bite on the head, neck or another sensitive area could put the gorilla down before it has a chance to react. They could bite and claw a gorilla, too, causing immense harm in just a few seconds. Gorillas are too slow to run away even though they are smart enough to know they are in trouble. However, if the gorilla knew the lion was coming, it might stand a chance. A powerful blow with their cupped hands or using a rock in their hand to smash a lion could turn the tables. They are both highly aggressive creatures, so a prolonged fight could be brutal. Even then, the lion would probably come out on top, making up for its relative lack of stamina with sheer power. A lion has a good chance of killing a gorilla in a one-on-one fight. The only thing is that a lion rarely fights alone. Yet, even if this fight turned into a pack war between several creatures, lions would still come out on top because they have far larger groups.
