Gorillas can run surprisingly fast for their large size, reaching speeds of 20 to 25 miles per hour (32 to 40 km/h) over short distances. This speed is notable given that male silverback gorillas can weigh between 300 to 485 pounds. Their bursts of speed help them escape threats, defend their group, or assert dominance in their dense forest habitats. However, gorillas are not built for endurance running and tire quickly after short sprints. Factors such as age, gender, terrain, and motivation influence their top speed, with younger gorillas generally being faster and dense forest terrain limiting their running efficiency. Compared to humans, gorillas are faster in short bursts, with average humans running around 8-10 mph and elite sprinters reaching about 27 mph. Gorillas also run using both their legs and arms, which contributes to their agility despite their bulk