Looks can be deceiving.

A dark, hairy beast pounds its fists against its tough, broad chest. Lifting its head, it releases a deafening roar.

Sounds like a scary scene from a monster movie!

For many years, this was the only image people had of the gorilla. In truth, the gorilla is a gentle animal that only behaves fiercely when it or its family is threatened.

Not long ago, the world was amazed by the kind actions of Binti Jua (BIN-tee JEW-uh), an eight-year-old, 160-pound female gorilla. Binti saved a three-year-old boy after he fell eighteen feet onto the floor of the gorilla enclosure at the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois. Binti carefully lifted the boy up and held him to her chest. After a moment, she gently carried the boy to the door of the enclosure and laid him down so he could easily get help from the human workers.

This type of thoughtful behavior, along with its physical appearance, makes the gorilla seem almost human. In fact, the gorilla ranks among the most intelligent animals on earth. The word gorilla actually means "hairy person."

All three types of gorilla (western lowland, eastern lowland, and mountain gorilla) live in Africa. Mountain gorillas are found in Northern and Eastern Africa. They are classified as endangered, having an estimated population of only 500 to 1,000. The gorilla is threatened by humans who hunt them illegally, and because large sections of the rain forest where they live have been cut down or burned.

Gorillas travel in families ranging from 2 to 30 members. These family groups roam in 2- to 15-square-mile areas searching for food. Although the gorilla may look like a hunter, it is actually a vegetarian. A big gorilla can eat about 60 pounds of leaves, bark, fruit, and vines a day.

When the gorilla is not eating, it is probably sleeping. After a hearty morning meal, the adult gorillas will take a nap while the youngsters play. Because gorilla families constantly move around searching for food, they sleep in a different bed made of branches and grass each night.

This gentle giant lives a quiet life filled with family, food, and rest. Its reputation as a fierce beast is exaggerated. When it comes to the gorilla, looks really are deceiving.

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Height: 5.5 feet, when standing up straight on hind legs

Weight: 200 to 600 pounds

Arm Span: Arms stretch 8 feet wide

Life Expectancy: 30 years in the wild, up to 50 years in captivity