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 burst of speed is typically used for escaping threats, territorial disputes, or quick navigation through dense forests. Despite their strength and agility, gorillas are sprinters rather than endurance runners and cannot maintain these speeds for long. Silverback gorillas, the dominant males, can also reach this top speed range of 20-25 mph, aided by their powerful muscular build and ability to run on all fours
. Their speed is comparable to that of elite human sprinters but less than predators like leopards, which can run up to 36 mph
. In summary, gorillas are capable of short bursts of speed up to 25 mph, which is impressive given their weight and forest terrain, but they are not built for sustained running
