The Gorilla Personality

Gorillas are strong, unpolished individuals with a gruff exterior that conceals their soft and chewy center. They are capable, happy-go-lucky individuals with a disarming naivete. Maybe a little hairy with a tattoo or two too, they are unpretentious and engaging creatures who brighten everyone's day with their enthusiastically warm greetings. They pay little attention to their physical condition and can even be a bit of a slob. With this tendency to be untidy, a gorilla isn't one to recycle or pick up after itself.

The Gorilla's Intentions can be Deceiving

Even with the gorilla's warmly gruff exterior there remains an underlying sense of menace that permeates its personality. It's certainly built for physical confrontation but it's difficult to imagine a gorilla actually inflicting bodily harm. However, when the gorilla or its family is threatened, a transgressor will quickly realizes its mistake. With body hair standing on end and large frame at full height, the gorilla will never back down from a fight. In a child-custody battle it's better to negotiate an up-front peace with a gorilla rather than endure a prolonged and bloody battle.

Gorillas are intelligent but not overly motivated. When young they avoid formal learning, and as an adult their intelligence manifests itself as street-smarts. They have the talent and problem-solving skills to be excellent mechanics, plumbers or repair people.

The Gorilla's Work Life

Their career, however, takes a backseat to the pursuit of recreational activity and they will rarely reach great heights in business. However, if they're lucky enough to find a job that incorporates fun and physical prowess - such as a personal trainer or professional wrestler - they can certainly rise to the top of their field.

Gorillas' appreciation for the good life puts them in good stead for careers in the service industry, including the hotel and restaurant businesses, and customers appreciate a gorilla's gruff but can-do attitude.

Gorillas are unmotivated by money, and they avoid strenuous physical exertion in favor of spending their leisure time at play. Drawn to social groups, the classic gorilla scene is a group of Hells Angels revving their bikes, mimicking a gorilla-like chest pounding and roaring.

Gorillas in the Wild

Gorillas are the largest of the great apes, weighing up to six hundred pounds. Living in troops consisting of a single adult male and several females, gorillas do not defend a particular territory. When two troops do mingle, they generally ignore one another, and fighting between groups is rare.

With the exception of man, gorillas have no natural enemies , although leopards have been known to take the occasional youngster. Probably as intelligent as chimpanzees, gorillas are less volatile in their emotional makeup, belying their savage reputation.