Top 12 Interesting Facts about Female Gorillas: mating, birth, & more
Discover the top 12 interesting facts about female gorillas, including their roles in the troop, behavior, parenting skills, social bonds, and unique physical traits.
Let’s first understand what is a female gorilla called. A female gorilla is simply called a female gorilla, as there is no special term like “cow” for female elephants or “doe” for deer.
In social groups, she plays vital roles as a mother, nurturer, and supporter within the troop. Female gorillas usually join a silverback-led group when they reach maturity and help raise the young, maintain harmony, and pass on survival knowledge through strong maternal instincts and bonds.
Intriguing Facts about Female Gorillas
- When female gorillas are on heat, they generally become more active and assertive. They are seen engaging much in playing, using different vocalizations when interacting with other members, and grooming, all these signaling the males about their readiness for mating.
- Female gorillas generally avoid aggressive behaviors such as fighting. They are more focused on maintaining social bonds within the family and taking care of the infants.
However, they can engage in a fight if they perceive a threat to their infants. They become very aggressive and can fight to death when it comes to protecting their children.
They may also fight in situations where resources are scarce. Competition for them often leads to aggressive interactions though very rare and less intense in case they happen compared to the fights between the males most especially the silverback gorillas.
Generally, Female gorillas prefer engaging in nonviolent interactions such as playing and grooming with their main focus on maintaining group harmony by strengthening social bonds.
- Female gorillas typically do not have individual names. They are generally identified by caretakers or researchers depending on the unique characteristics, features, or roles they play within their families. Researchers often give them unique codes or temporary names majorly for study purposes.
- Female gorillas tend to be selective about their mates. Depending on various factors such as the male dominance rank and health, female gorillas show preference to a certain male and she will avoid all the rest just to see herself mate with a male usually the silverback she loves.
- Female gorillas typically don’t menstruate in the same way as women although they are our closest relatives with 98% of our DNA. Instead, they undergo an estrous cycle which is a reproductive cycle that does not involve blood discharge but rather includes periods of fertility and sexual acceptance from their mates.
- Female gorillas do not generally mate out of pleasure like humans. They engage in mating because it is tied to their reproductive cycle hence they do it to conceive and reproduce.
- Female gorillas have two pairs of breasts located on their chests and abdomen just like in other mammals. The size of their breasts may vary depending on their age, overall health, and reproductive status.
- After giving birth, the breasts become more prominent and functional as they are actively producing milk to nurse the infants. The size of the breast of the breastfeeding gorilla changes depending on how active she is nursing.
- Female gorillas don’t often beat their chests a behavior which is common in males. Instead, they prefer using other forms of social interactions, involved in grooming, nurturing, and increasing the social bond within the group.
10. Although female gorillas are generally smaller and less muscular, they are quite stronger than most wild animals. They have a significant strength that enables them to protect their offspring from predators, gather food, and navigate through their habitats with ease.
11. Female gorillas go through menopause just like humans. As they age, they reach a stage where they get a gradual decline in their reproduction levels. This usually occurs around 35 years of age and older.
12. Female gorillas are pregnant for approximately 8.5 months that’s around 250 days just like humans. Labor also begins with contractions which last for several hours and she gives birth in a safe area that she has chosen.
What happens when Female Gorillas are about to Give birth
When a female gorilla is about to give birth, she will undergo several changes, and her behaviors will change as she prepares for the arrival of her baby.
When she is about to give birth, she constructs a comfortable nest with the use of leaves, tree branches, shrubs, and other available materials. This nest acts as a safe and cozy place for labor.
As labor approaches, she will display changes in her behaviors such as a reduced appetite. This helps to prepare her body for giving birth.
When the labor pains begin, she becomes restless and she will isolate herself from the family to a quiet and secure place she has chosen, or to the nest she built.
The delivery process takes several hours taking it all day or night. Female gorillas usually give birth to one infant as twins are very rare. After giving birth, she will immediately start taking care of her newborn.
During delivery, other members of the family often stay nearby to ensure its safety, and protection from predators which might attack her when she is helpless.
When the baby is out, she will start taking care of it by cleaning it, helping it breastfeed for the first time, keep it very close to giving it warmth and protection. She will let any other member of the family hold it during this fragile stage.
You may also wish to know;
How to tell if a gorilla is male or female?
Why do female gorillas mate with multiple males?
female gorilla vs male gorilla
Female gorillas and male gorillas differ in size, appearance, and social roles. Males are significantly larger, more muscular, and can weigh up to 430 pounds, while females average around 220 pounds.
Mature males develop a silver patch on their back, known as a silverback, and have a pronounced sagittal crest to support strong jaw muscles. Female gorillas lack these features and have a slimmer build.
Socially, males act as leaders and protectors of the troop, while females focus on nurturing, raising young, and maintaining group cohesion. Despite their differences, both sexes play vital roles in the gorilla family structure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Female Gorillas
1. What is the role of a female gorilla in a troop?
Female gorillas play a crucial role in the troop by caring for their young, maintaining social bonds, and contributing to the stability of the group. They also groom other members and participate in foraging activities.
2. How long is a female gorilla pregnant?
The gestation period for a female gorilla is approximately 8.5 months, similar to humans. After giving birth, the mother provides intense care for her offspring.
3. At what age do female gorillas start reproducing?
Female gorillas typically reach sexual maturity at around 8-10 years old. However, they may delay reproduction until they find a suitable dominant male to lead the troop.
4. How many babies can a female gorilla have in her lifetime?
On average, a female gorilla can give birth to 3-6 offspring during her lifetime. This low reproductive rate is a key reason for their endangered status.
5. Do female gorillas leave their troop?
Yes, female gorillas often leave their natal troop to join another group or form a new one. This behavior helps prevent inbreeding and promotes genetic diversity.
6. How do female gorillas care for their young?
Female gorillas provide constant care for their infants, including nursing, grooming, and carrying them on their backs. This care lasts until the young gorilla is about 3-4 years old.
7. Do female gorillas fight?
Female gorillas rarely engage in physical fights. However, they may show aggression, such as vocalizations or chest-beating, to assert dominance within the troop or during disputes over food or space.
8. Can female gorillas become dominant?
Female gorillas do not typically become the dominant leader of a troop. The alpha male, or silverback, is the leader. However, older and experienced females may hold influential roles within the group.
9. What do female gorillas eat?
Female gorillas are herbivores, primarily consuming leaves, stems, fruits, and bamboo shoots. They spend several hours a day foraging for food alongside the rest of the troop.
10. How do female gorillas communicate?
Female gorillas communicate using a variety of vocalizations, facial expressions, and gestures. These include soft grunts, barks, and body language to express emotions or alert others to danger.
11. How long do female gorillas live?
In the wild, female gorillas have an average lifespan of 35-40 years. In captivity, with better medical care and no predators, they can live up to 50 years or more.
12. Are female gorillas involved in group decision-making?
While the dominant silverback makes most decisions, female gorillas influence group movements, especially when foraging or protecting their young.
13. Do female gorillas bond with other females?
Yes, female gorillas form strong bonds with each other, especially in larger troops. These bonds help create a supportive social structure and reduce stress.
14. How do female gorillas attract a mate?
Female gorillas may use subtle behaviors, such as staying close to the silverback or engaging in grooming, to show interest and strengthen their bond with a potential mate.
15. Are female gorillas aggressive towards humans?
Female gorillas are generally shy and avoid confrontation with humans. However, they may become defensive if they feel their young are threatened or if they are startled.
16. What challenges do female gorillas face in the wild?
Female gorillas face threats such as habitat loss, poaching, disease, and predation. They are also vulnerable to injuries during conflicts between rival gorilla groups.
17. Do female gorillas display emotions?
Yes, female gorillas exhibit a range of emotions, including affection, fear, sadness, and contentment. Their emotional expressions are observed in interactions with their offspring and troop members.
18. How do conservation efforts help female gorillas?
Conservation efforts focus on protecting habitats, combating poaching, and supporting research. These measures ensure a safe environment for female gorillas to raise their young and maintain healthy populations.
19. How are female gorillas different from males?
Female gorillas are smaller than males, with less pronounced muscle mass and no silverback marking. They also have a different role in the troop, focusing on nurturing and social bonding.
20. Can female gorillas recognize themselves in a mirror?
While gorillas are intelligent, there is limited evidence that they possess self-recognition. Female gorillas may react to their reflection, but this does not necessarily indicate self-awareness.