A full-grown male eastern gorilla typically weighs 140–205.5 kg (309–453 lb) and stands 1.7 m (5.6 ft) upright and a female typically weighs 90–100 kg (200–220 lb) and stands 1.5 m (4.9 ft) tall.

[9][10] The tallest silverback recorded was a 1.95-metre (6.4 ft) individual shot in Alimbongo, northern Kivu in May 1938.

Eastern gorillas are herbivorous, with a heavily foliage based diet, due to lack of available fruit in their habitats.

They have smaller home ranges than western gorillas as foliage is more abundant than fruit.

Eastern gorillas live in stable, cohesive family groups, led by a dominant silverback male.

Eastern gorillas tend to have larger group sizes than their western relatives, numbering up to 35 individuals.

Newborn gorillas have greyish-pink skin and can crawl after 9 weeks; they are not fully weaned until 3.5 years.

Males defend their females and offspring using their large size in intimidating displays involving charging and chest-beating.

[14] Studies have shown that habituated eastern gorillas, that is, those that leave protected areas to forage in surrounding communities, have higher disease rates than their unhabituated counterparts, with nearby humans and livestock as the likely sources of transmission.