Male gorillas and kangaroos are both muscular and strong animals. A fight between the two animals would never happen in the wild but let’s explore how one might go down. Gorilla vs kangaroo, who will win in a fight?
Gorilla vs Kangaroo Animal Fact Sheet
| Gorilla | Kangaroo | |
| Size | weight 136 – 227 kg height 1.4 – 1.8 m arm span 2.3 – 2.6 m | weight 90 kg height 2 m |
| Speed | 20 mph in short bursts | 35 mph for 1.5 miles |
| Attack | bite force 1300 psi lift/throw objects weighing 815 kg | bite force 900 psi kick speed 40 mph kick with 760 lb of force punch with 275 lb of force |
| Habitat | Sub-Saharan Africa tropical and sub-tropical forests | Australia grassland |
| Diet | mostly herbivorous | herbivore |
| Lifespan | 35 – 40 years | average 8 years |
| Predators | humans leopards | humans dingo’s foxes domestic and feral dogs |
Gorilla vs Kangaroo: Size
Gorillas are the world’s largest apes, with male silverback gorillas weighing 136 – 227 kg (300 – 500 lb). They are between 1.4 – 1.8 m (4.6 – 6 ft) tall and have an arm span that can stretch 2.3 – 2.6 m (7.5 – 8.5 ft) long. Male kangaroos can weigh up to 90 kg (198 lb) and be 2 m (6.5 ft) tall. These are the most muscle-bound individuals. The gorilla beats the kangaroo in size.
Gorilla vs Kangaroo: Speed and Agility
Gorillas walk around on their knuckles and palms but can also walk upright for short distances. Gorillas are not built for high speeds over long distances but can cover a short distance at 20 mph (32 kph).
All gorillas can climb to some extent, but males have a more challenging time than females and young gorillas. Silverbacks are usually too heavy to climb and spend most of their time at ground level. They can only climb trees with thick trunks and branches to support their weight.
If you have watched kangaroos move, you would have seen that they don’t walk or run but hop like rabbits. They are well adapted for this movement with their large feet, powerful hind legs and long muscular tail used for balance.
They can travel 1.5 mi (2.4km) at 35 mph (56 kph). In one leap, they can cover 7.6 m (25 ft) and jump 2 m (6.5 ft). The kangaroo has the gorilla beat on movement speed.
Gorilla vs Kangaroo: Attack Power
Gorillas are generally gentle creatures unless they are provoked or a family member is threatened. Then, they can cause some severe damage. Even though gorillas have a primarily vegetarian diet apart from occasional snacking on ants and termites, they boast a bite force of 1300 psi. This is super powerful compared to a human’s bite force of 160 psi, and with canines 5 cm (2 in) long, they can leave some devastating puncture wounds.
A silverback gorilla’s muscles aren’t just for show. They can easily lift and throw objects weighing 815 kg (1797 lb). It’s no surprise, then, that are are as strong as 20 men combined!
When a gorilla feels threatened, the males will beat their chest or walk around upright, dragging the biggest and nearest object across the ground in a display of strength.
The strongest male kangaroos are the most talented fighters. They honed their skills over the years by fighting other males for the right to mate with the females. They fight dirty boxing and kicking their opponent. They can throw a punch with 125 kg (275 lb) of force.
They kick with both legs simultaneously, using their tail for balance. Their kicks are hard to dodge at a speed of 40 mph (64 kph) and can deliver 345 kg (760 lb) of force with each kick. Just one kick can lead to internal injuries.
Like the gorilla, a kangaroo has a surprisingly strong bite force of 900 psi. They lack sharp canines, but that bite is still going to hurt. Even using their sharp claws to swipe at each other’s faces isn’t out of the question. When two male kangaroos fight, there really is no holding back.
It’s a draw on attacking power as both animals gave their unique and powerful ways to inflict damage.
Gorilla vs Kangaroo Who Will Win In A Fight?
A fight between a gorilla and a kangaroo would never happen in the wild as they live on separate continents. However, if a battle did happen between the two, the gorilla would have the upper hand and win.
My reasoning is that a gorilla being heavier and more muscular will be able to dish out more damage and survive the kangaroo’s attacks. The gorilla also has the advantage of using objects like a log as a weapon. It could hit the kangaroo before it got close enough to attack. The gorilla can also use its massive arms to bearhug the kangaroo and bite its neck.
The kangaroo’s only advantage over the gorilla is its speed and movement. But as most kangaroos stand in one place when they fight, the gorilla should not have too much of a problem.
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