eli5: How come gorillas are so muscular without working out and on a diet of mostly leaves and fruits?

Question

eli5: How come gorillas are so muscular without working out and on a diet of mostly leaves and fruits?

In: Biology

Answer 1

I’m surprised looking through the comments that the actual reason isn’t being talked about.

Myostatin is a protein produced by humans that inhibits muscle growth. It’s thought to be an evolutionary advantage in times of food scarcity because by limiting muscle growth it reduces the calories needed for the body to maintain itself.

Gorillas lack that protein so they have a much easier time building and maintaining muscle despite their diet.