# Could a Juvenile Gorilla Harm A Human? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 29, 2017, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-juvenile-gorilla-harm-a-human/805522 "2017-12-29T16:19:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2017, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-juvenile-gorilla-harm-a-human/805522/1 "2017-12-29T16:19:17Z")
In [this adorable video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFDPLyAWpVg), a caretaker at a gorilla rescue center tickles a “baby” gorilla (I’d say more likely the gorilla equivalent of a toddler or preschooler, but that’s neither here nor there), much to the animal’s obvious delight. An adult gorilla could, if he wanted to, rip a human to shreds without even breaking a sweat. But what about this wee one? If the caretaker somehow annoyed him and he reacted instinctively, would the caretaker be in danger? Also, any guesses on what this animal weighs? The caretaker seems to be carrying him about without much effort, but he (the gorilla) seems solidly built; I’m guessing maybe 30kg. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2017, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-juvenile-gorilla-harm-a-human/805522/2 "2017-12-29T16:42:20Z")
Those teeth could certainly do some damage. Heck, a really pissed off house cat (a lot smaller than that gorilla) can scratch and bite and make a bloody mess. And that baby gorilla has much bigger teeth than a house cat. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2017, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-juvenile-gorilla-harm-a-human/805522/3 "2017-12-29T16:55:14Z")
I couldn’t see baby’s fingernails very well, but if they’re the least bit sharp I’d wager one swipe powered by those arms would tear human skin like a child ripping open a gift on Christmas morning. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2017, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-juvenile-gorilla-harm-a-human/805522/4 "2017-12-29T18:51:55Z")
Though I doubt it’s normal infant gorilla behavior, any creature with teeth like that obviously _could_ harm a human. ---
**Author:** ![SeniorCitizen007](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8baadc/32.png) [@SeniorCitizen007](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeniorCitizen007)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2017, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-juvenile-gorilla-harm-a-human/805522/5 "2017-12-30T02:53:17Z")
Back in the 70s I had an interesting experience with a young gorilla (Tony). He was in a cage in a pet shop (back then apparently one could keep gorillas as pets!). He reached through the bars, touched both my knees and then my elbows. He then pulled my jaw down and looked into my mouth, he spent some time gazing into my mouth. Our eyes were just a few inches apart. Anyone here got an explanation for this very deliberate behaviour Tony displayed? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2017, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-juvenile-gorilla-harm-a-human/805522/6 "2017-12-30T06:46:45Z")
He was sizing you up. Or maybe bored as hell in a cage.