Shaquille O’Neal, the former NBA superstar, is 7 feet 1 inch (216 cm) tall and weighed approximately 325 pounds (147 kg) during his playing career.

His enormous size has apparently made him an unusual sight for gorillas at zoos.

In February 2022, Shaq shared the story on his podcast, The Big Podcast with Shaq.

He said gorillas regularly become agitated when he approaches their enclosures, sometimes standing up and trying to make themselves look bigger.

During that podcast, Shaq called Ron Magill, communications director at Zoo Miami.

Magill explained that a male gorilla may interpret Shaq's enormous physique as a rival and respond by standing upright, tightening its lips and making itself appear larger.

There was also a separate incident at the Philadelphia Zoo in June 2001.

A gorilla named Chaka suddenly charged at Shaq's friend, Joe Cavallero, and pounded on the glass separating them.

The incident was reported by the Los Angeles Times.