Gorillas are highly social primates living in structured family groups. Their early life stages offer insights into their social dynamics and survival strategies.
Naming Gorilla Offspring
A gorilla is commonly referred to as a “baby gorilla” or, more formally, an “infant”. Unlike other animal species that have unique terms like “cub” or “calf,” gorillas, as primates, share the term “infant” with humans. Newborn gorillas typically weigh between 3 to 5 pounds (1.4 to 2.3 kilograms), making them smaller than human babies at birth. Despite their initial small size, they exhibit rapid growth and development in their early months.
The Formative Years of Young Gorillas
Gorilla infants are entirely dependent on their mothers at birth, clinging to them for warmth, security, and nourishment. For the first several months, the infant remains in constant physical contact with its mother, who serves as the primary caregiver within the troop. As they grow, infants begin to develop motor skills, learning to sit upright around three months of age and starting to crawl shortly thereafter.
They typically begin walking on all fours, known as knuckle-walking, between six and twelve months of age. Around four to six months old, they are strong enough to cling to their mother’s back during travel. Infants may start to sample solid foods like leaves and vegetation around three months, with these becoming a more significant part of their diet by six to seven months, though they continue to nurse for an extended period, often until two and a half to four years old.
Play is a significant aspect of a young gorilla’s development, fostering social learning and physical coordination. Infants engage in playful interactions like wrestling and somersaults with siblings and other juveniles, which helps them learn social cues and integrate into the group. While mothers are the main caregivers, other troop members, including siblings and sometimes even the dominant silverback male, contribute to the care and socialization of the young. Silverbacks are known to be gentle with infants, often playing with them and offering protection, which is particularly important in ensuring the survival of young gorillas within the group. Infants remain in their mother’s nest for sleep until they are typically between four and six years old, marking a long period of parental care and learning within their social structure.