Question

Describe a general observation of the social behavior and social activity of gorillas. (400words minimum)

1. -How are the behaviors similar to or different from the behavior of humans?
2. -What have you learned from this observation about how primatologists work?
3. -What have you learned about primate behavior that surprised you or you found interesting?

Answer 1

Current knowledge on the social organization and behavior of gorillas is dominated by results from research on mountain gorillas though there are some data for eastern and western lowland gorillas. The minimum group size for all subspecies is two individuals (usually a silverback and a female), except for males ranging alone, while maximum group size varies slightly for each subspecies.

The maximum group size for mountain gorillas can exceed 20 individuals, while eastern and western lowland gorillas generally are not found in groups larger than 17 to 20 individuals and western lowland gorilla groups are always observed in groups smaller than 20 individuals.

Eastern lowland gorillas generally live in groups of one male, multiple females, and their offspring, though these can shift to multi-male groups for brief periods. The average group size is 9.8 individuals.

Males spend a few months to a few years alone after emigrating from their natal groups at or before the age of 15, eventually attracting dispersing females and creating a new social group .

Although chimpanzees and bonobos are the closest relatives of humans, gorillas resemble us more in some respects. For instance, the gorillas' hands and feet resemble the human ones more than those of other apes. Gorillas spend more time on the ground than other apes, therefore their feet are more suited to walking. This is especially true for the mountain gorillas.

Primatology itself can be broken down into sub-disciplines, such as ethnoprimatology and cultural primatology. Despite the similar nomenclature, ethnoprimatology and cultural primatology are two distinctly different areas of academic interest and enquiry.

Ethnoprimatology looks at the human–nonhuman interface and involves researchers observing and documenting contemporary human interactions with primates on the ground. Cultural primatology on the other hand involves the investigation of ‘culture’ in primates, and the complex sociality which exists within this order. Such an endeavour has significant implications for our understanding of the human species, and cultural primatology is often utilised by palaeoanthropologists and archaeologists interested in the origins of anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens sapiens).

Most primates do not shape their environment in an adaptive way. They use it as it is without modification. The sleeping nests of the great apes are poor, roofless constructions created for only one night. Monkeys simply sleep on convenient tree branches without making nests.

No primate other than humans is known to store food. They have a hand-to-mouth economy which forces everyone to seek food and water daily. However, adult male chimpanzees and adult bonobos of both genders cooperate with others in their community in hunting monkeys and other small game. While they do not store the meat, they do use it for social gain by sharing it.