Gorillas are the largest great apes, residing in the tropical and subtropical forests of equatorial Africa. They are social primates that live in family groups called troops, typically led by a dominant silverback male. Their daily existence is governed by the continuous need to acquire large amounts of vegetation. This search for food and the subsequent need for rest creates a structured routine that organizes the group’s movement and social interactions. The silverback decides when the group wakes up, eats, and moves to a new location.
The Morning Shift: Foraging and Diet
Gorillas begin their day at dawn, usually leaving their sleeping nests around 6:00 a.m. They spend roughly 50% of their waking hours searching for and eating food. This activity dictates the group’s daily travel and movement.
Gorillas are herbivores, consuming a wide variety of plant matter including leaves, stems, shoots, pith, and bark. Because this vegetation is low in nutritional quality, gorillas must consume immense quantities to meet their caloric demands. An adult male gorilla may eat over 18 kilograms (40 pounds) of vegetation each day.
The exact diet varies significantly between the subspecies and with the seasons. Mountain gorillas primarily eat foliage from over 140 plant species, with fruit making up a small fraction of their intake due to their high-altitude habitat. In contrast, Western lowland gorillas consume a greater percentage of fruit, which can constitute up to 67% of their diet when available.
Gorillas use their dexterity to pluck only the most nutritious parts of a plant, such as tender leaves or soft pith. They also occasionally ingest small invertebrates, including ants, termites, and caterpillars, which provide a protein boost. Their food provides so much moisture that they rarely need to drink water directly, often relying on the water content in plants and morning dew.
Midday Relaxation: Rest and Social Bonds
After the morning feeding period, the group transitions into a rest phase, typically around late morning and midday. This inactivity is necessary for the plant material consumed during the morning to be processed and digested. Gorillas may construct temporary “day nests” for this rest, helping them relax and digest comfortably.
This quiet time is when most social behavior takes place, reinforcing troop cohesion. Grooming is a common activity, particularly between mothers and their infants, strengthening their bond. Females may also groom each other, though this is less frequent than in some other primate species.
Juveniles use the rest period as an opportunity for play, which is tolerated and sometimes joined by the silverback. The silverback supervises the group and reinforces the social structure. Display behaviors, such as chest-beating or ground-slapping, may occasionally occur during this time to maintain the group hierarchy.
Ending the Day: Travel and Nest Building
As the afternoon progresses, the gorillas engage in a second, shorter foraging session before the silverback leads them toward a suitable area for the night’s lodging. They do not return to a previous sleeping site, even if it is nearby, to minimize the chance of predators tracking them.
Every individual gorilla over the age of three constructs a nest each night before sunset. This ensures hygiene, as reusing a nest would lead to the accumulation of waste and attract parasites. The construction process involves selecting a stable location and weaving together branches, leaves, and flexible stems to form a circular, insulated platform.
Adult gorillas, especially silverbacks, tend to build their nests on the ground, while juveniles may build theirs in trees for added security. The entire group participates in this simultaneous construction, which takes about 10 to 25 minutes per individual. Once the nests are complete, the gorillas settle in for the night, with infants sharing their mother’s nest until they are old enough to build their own.