Gorilla gorilla gorilla: The Hilariously Named Ape

Gorilla gorilla gorilla, also known as the Western Lowland Gorilla, is a fascinating animal with a name that’s hard to take seriously. With three “gorillas” in its scientific name, it’s no wonder that this species gets a lot of attention for having a funny name.

First discovered in the 19th century, the Western Lowland Gorilla is one of the two subspecies of the Western Gorilla. They are native to the rainforests of Central Africa and are critically endangered due to habitat destruction and poaching.

But let’s get back to the name. Scientists named this gorilla species using a convention that includes the genus name, Gorilla, and the species name, gorilla. When it came time to add a subspecies name for the Western Lowland Gorilla, they decided to use the same name three times, resulting in Gorilla gorilla gorilla.

It’s hard not to chuckle when you say it out loud. And the scientific community isn’t immune to the humor either. The name has inspired countless jokes and puns over the years. A personal favorite is, “Why did the Gorilla gorilla gorilla cross the road? To get to the other side of the jungle, gorilla!”

Despite its amusing name, the Western Lowland Gorilla is a remarkable animal with a complex social structure and a lot to teach us. They are one of our closest animal relatives, sharing 98% of our DNA. They also have distinctive physical features, such as their muscular arms and silver saddle of hair on their backs, which make them easy to recognize.

So, the next time you hear someone talking about the Gorilla gorilla gorilla, take a moment to appreciate the humor in their name, but also remember the important conservation work being done to protect this incredible species.