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Call for questions: GORILLAS (Patreon)

Published:
2022-05-18 01:30:59
Imported:
2026-06

Content

...with scientist and lead of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Dr. Tara S. Stoinski! Gorilla questions: let's have them. Very excited. 

Comments

Ashley Oki

I know we’re all wondering this so I’m going to ask: thoughts on Tarzan?

Anna Thompson

How do silverbacks grow that silverback? Can they just decide to be the alpha?

Xavier Fleischood

Why are their hands so fucking terrifying? Sincerely, someone who has a healthy fear of gorillas and all other primates

Spencer Parks

Hells yeah. I gotta try and think of a good question.

Trinaty

How can they understand speech patterns?

Carly Poczik

grizzly vs gorilla- who wins?

Timmy H.

Do gorillas kill each others’ babies like some lions do?

Jessie Dragon

My sibling is asking “why do gorillas look like they do?” I guess she means their smushed faces compared to humans

Ashley Oki

Thoughts on coco the gorilla being able to sign…?

Mykenzie King

Do you think a Gorilla mother could/would actually take care of a human child like in Tarzan?

Timmy H.

What’s the strength of a gorilla similar to?

Lina Zikas

Is it true they will find an “alpha” in a group of humans and try to square up with them/assert dominance or is that film glam?

Timmy H.

Where does study on gorillas end and the study of monkeys and other primates begin?

Amy Narimatsu

What's your craziest gorilla encounter, and do you have any tips for encountering one in the wild? Also #ripharambe

RJ Doidge

Who really would win: Godzilla vs King Kong?

Jules Kingsland

Did Ivan really have a stuffed animal 🧸

Aurora Rogers

Do they have the same or similar anatomy that would allow them to be able to vocalize the same way humans do?

Timmy H.

Besides humans, what are some predators of gorillas?

Carly Poczik

gorillas favorite thing to eat? && mating habits/cycles/etc?

Gustavo Discoteca

How mighty are they? How does their strength compare to that of a world-class human deadlifter?

Rachel Kendrick

Omg I’m freaking out! Do you think they name each other? Like are there sounds they use repeatedly towards each other than are thought to be their names

Mia Manzer

How destructive is it to the species to be in captivity and how do we help them in terms of conservation status? Also: RIP Harambe

Jennasis

Favorite gorilla in media? I love Turk from Disneys Tarzan.

Kate Watters

How deep can the connection between keeper and gorilla go? I've seen many documentaries and it seems like the have very good memories and emotional capacity. A particular one I remember seeing was a gorilla in her final days and she remembered her old keeper who was with her for 35 or so years.

Katja S

Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla, who decided this, and why? (I ask with sincere love)

Margaryta Korchova

Question…If Gorillas don’t eat meat, why do they have huge canines ?

Jennasis

Will we ever learn their language?

Cicely Taylor

What’s the professional consensus on Koko - did she truly have the capability of language or was it behavioural training?

Bex W.

How much do we not know about gorillas’ social lives? (I.e. capacity for communication with humans) What is a typical relationship between a gorilla in captivity and their caretaker? (Are they friends? Enemies? Do they hug? Do they ignore each other?)

Allison N.

How accurate is the movie Tarzan’s portrayal of gorilla social structure/dynamics/behavior? Also, why is Turk is the cooliest gorilla this side of the jungle?

Zoe Armistead

Gorillas and monkeys have always kinda freaked me out! Do you think it has something to do with uncanny valley? (Them looking very human-like but not quite?)

Margaret Aisenbrey

I have questions about how gorillas sleep. Do they sleep all in one go like humans, 8 hours on, then they're awake or are they nappers? Do they sleep in trees? If they are on the ground when they sleep, is someone keeping watch? Does the group try to find a place to hide when they sleep? Or are they like lions, not afraid of anything?

Jennasis

Is a Tarzan situation even possible? Would a gorilla raise a human child?

AnAbundanceofGnomes

How many gorillas have learned sign language or other communication with humans?

Maria Jouravleva

I like this! Yes please to all these questions

Kyle

Same question. I'm assuming it's a hormonal trigger... But what triggers the hormones?

Doctor (almost!) Elder

Is it true Koko didn’t really understand sign language as much as her trainer claimed she did? I read an article that claimed she only copied what was told to her in order to get treats. Also that she was weirdly fascinated by nipples. Is it true? Was Koko just kind of a dumb pervert?

Jarred Abrahams

How accurate was Disney's animated Tarzan movie in its depiction of gorillas?

Jennasis

How often do use the gorilla emoji? 🦍 🦍🦍

hannah

what’s up with gorillas and sign language? can they actually understand/use it? was koko the gorilla actually fluent in it? what’s going on there???

Lynn

What’s the biggest misconception about gorillas in mainstream society? What kind of relationship do Indigenous peoples have with gorillas?

Megs

What are the benefits of having gorillas in captivity? What kind of things do you wish people knew about gorillas?

Anika's Cat Arya

Are there similarities between gorilla culture and human culture? They seem to have such evolved social networks.

Dermott Decottignies

Hi Allie and Dr. Stoinski. I had read online that gorillas and some primates had entered their own stone age, is this true? And what does that mean for the primates as a whole(us included) ?

Maria Jouravleva

What's the best thing I can do daily (or weekly) to help gorillas? I live in the PNW-US so I very likely will not naturally come upon gorillas in my lifetime, but if there is something I can do to ensure their continued survival, I'd like to do that.

Becca Christensen

How did they end up living in two isolated groups? Does it have something to do with habitat loss? Why did they end up living where they do?

OtterApocalypse

Pick your battle... one duck-sized gorilla or one hundred gorilla-sized ducks?

Celeste Rousseau

I've seen calls for donations of electronics to help gorillas because the silicon in phone, headphones, etc. is harvested from areas of gorilla habitat? Is this something that is helpful for gorilla conservation similar to avoiding palm oil for orangutans?

Sarah Mathew

Could gorillas raise a human baby (a la Tarzan)?

Antonia Clark

Hypothetically, if there was a fight between a full grown silverback gorilla and a full grown grizzly bear, what would the outcome be? Asking for a partner (I told him they would never encounter each other in the wild and he asked me if I ever read Jungle Book)

Aurora Sullivan

How complex is their memory? Is it really as long-term or episodic as commonly suggested?

Reuben Clamzo

Have gorillas and other apes been impacted by COVID?

Jules Kingsland

Sorry I am asking so much but I have on more how many gorilla 🦍 Species and how long do they live?

Alia Myers

What are their predators??

Sh4rkH4ts

Do gorillas experience something like menstruation? Is gorilla depression similar to humans or more unique?

Jess EyeballSurgeon

Yes! this is my question. Whats the deal with gorillas and sign language. Is the movie Congo a gross misrepresentation?

Alia Myers

Do they have like competition in the wild? Other animals tryna get the same prey ?

Alia Myers

Do they have turf wars?

Leanna Shuster

From my 11 year old, how closely related are gorillas to humans?

Rebecca Cloud

What makes their eyes so expressive? Is it us anthropomorphizing or is there more to it?

Alia Myers

What kind of teeth do they have?

Chris

Gorillas, would you be one if you could?

Charline

How strong can a gorilla be?

Charline

First time questioner Geek question Who is the real winner between Godzilla and King-Kong?

Scott Sheldon

Might be a can of worms, but why are gorilla’s saggital crest on their skull so enlarged compared to other primates and early hominids? Is it for muscles for their jaw?

Alia Myers

Do they have complex language?

Emilee

Can gorillas be attracted to humans?

Jessica Kleist

Omg gorillas!!!! My Grammy always talked about an experience where she went to the zoo and placed her hand on the glass and the gorilla placed their hand up against my grandmothers through the glass. Her last trip to the zoo we spent a lot of time with the gorillas and they always make me think of her. Is this a thing that they do, is it normal? Is there a reason?

Alia Myers

Are there more than mature one male in a group or do they follow the "alpha male" model

Ira Gray

Can you talk about the "Trimates" and Leakys approach to studying primates? I feel like a lot of the discussion I see around their work anthropomorphizes primates but I havent read anything directly from Diane Fossey or the others research

Liz Ochoa

Why don’t they have protruding, downward-facing noses like humans?

Super_Sara

What is the etymology of then word gorilla, is it’s origin from the French word for war (guerrilla)? Is there a relation ship between gorilla and guerrilla warfare?

Seán Thomas Kane

Can you talk a little about gorilla emotions and are humans at all able to understand them or even communicate with them?

Adam McInnes

Is it true that, because of their diets, gorillas are just like... CONSTANTLY farting?

Emmalee Jones

What kinds of toys/games do gorillas like best?

Emily Krieger

What have scientists learned from gorillas in zoos that helps gorillas in the wild? Is the tradeoff, especially for captive-bred gorillas who die in zoos, worth it? I think it was only recently (2021?) that two zoo-bred gorillas gave birth to a baby in the wild?

Specs Owl

Is it true that Koko the gorilla couldn't talk as well as her keeper claimed she could?

Sara Johnston

Do you like the band Gorillaz? Also I know us and gorillas are very similar but do they have any human like habits? Honestly I just want to know if they accessorize or wear make up?

Will

Why is a silver back called a silver back? I know their backs look silver, but why don’t all mature male gorillas have silver backs? How is this a defining characteristic of the alpha male specifically?

Leanna Shuster

I'd love to hear her perspective on Koko. How extensive was Koko's ability to communicate with humans? Looking at it from 2022, what are the bioethical implications of these experiments? Would teaching sign language to non-human primates be acceptable by modern scientific guidelines?

Chloe Jones

What are the main differences between mountain and lowland gorillas? Are they different species or subspecies?

Julia McDonald

Why are gorillas so strong even though they only eat plants?

Elisa Shoenberger

What is the most unexpected thing you've seen a gorilla do?

Aubrey Nelson

What is the most human-like thing you’ve ever witnessed a gorilla do?

Jacob Bowman

If most gorillas are most commonly eating plant matter like leaves and fruits, how do they get enough calories, protein, and other nutrients to grow and maintain their tremendous size? And if they are only eating those kinds of foods, how much do they actually eat and how much of their day is spent eating?

Nicole Kleinman

Why the poop throwing? The defecation projectiles? The scat missiles? The excrement bolts? The number two darts?

Bipin P

Why do gorillas have opposable big toes when they spend most of the time on the ground and not in trees?

Deacon Raid

The babies eat their mom’s poop to get colonized by the good gut micro biome, right?

Deacon Raid

is it true that they have big nostrils because they have big fingers?

Deacon Raid

What’s with the silver hair? Is that really a dominance thing or just that groups tend to only have one male or a certain age? Do females also have their hair change with age?

Buhbrie

Sign language??

Jorie West

Please talk about gorilla grieving, do they grieve for lost loved ones and how?

Meghan McLean

Are there cases of albinism in gorillas, and if so how does it affect them and their social status?

Kelly Shaver

Is it true that some gorillas have favorite colors??

Mie [me-ay]

how accurate is the movie ‘tarzan’ in their depiction of gorillas?

Ashleigh Reisterer

Can gorillas differentiate between a human smile and the baring of teeth? Or is showing them your teeth at all considered aggressive behavior?

Specs Owl

*content warning for racism and violence* I have read Gorillas In The Mist, and I also read a book by a couple who worked with Dian Fossey, called In The Kingdom Of Gorillas. There's a bit of conflicting information in these two accounts, and I'd really like to know which is true. Is it true that Fossey kidnapped and tortured Rwandan adults and children? Fossey wrote about an orphaned baby gorilla she looked after, and did all she could for him, but he died of an infection; but the other book says she refused to get medical help because the nearest doctor was her ex lover - which of these is true?

Clayton Boydston

How similar is their social environment to humans?

Carmen

Are gorillas sensitive to the scents you give off?

Lizzy Martinez

I'd also like to know this and what do they dream of when they take a little (or long) Gorilla snooze?

Specs Owl

What's different about the eastern, western and cross river gorillas? Is there any hope for the latter? And why are gorillas so much more peaceful than their relatives, chimpanzees and humans?

BeckytheSassySeagrassScientist

Gorillas using tools!! Why haven’t they mastered TikTok yet? Are keyboards just too small for them?

Sydonie S.

What impact does/will climate change have on gorilla's habitat?

Nico Price

I also want to know about the benefit of captive gorillas to wild ones & the value of gorillas in captivity.

Ruby Johnstone

Have there been any studies regarding mental health and gorillas? Would conditions like chronic depression or OCD manifest as they do in humans?

Christa Avampato

I've been waiting for this episode from the beginning!!! Do gorillas have a lot of the same emotions that humans have - joy, grief, anger, love...

BeckytheSassySeagrassScientist

I’ve read amazing books about sanctuaries housing rescued chimps and gorillas after various tragic human mistreatment. One story mentioned gorillas enjoying hot tea and other human habits. How are they adaptable and fast to learn? How do we help keep them wild and safe?

Sydonie S.

What are the best and worst representations of gorillas and gorilla researchers in film/TV?

Alex

DK spin move, is it real?

Julia

Do gorillas really pound their chest? If so, what does this communicate? Do baby gorillas stay with their mothers when they are adults, or do they go off on their own?

Nathalie Jones

What's up with Coco the gorilla (from my boyfriend)? Also, what does their fur feel like?

Nico Price

Do wild gorillas see humans as just a threat or do they have the same tendency to see themselves in us the way we often do with them?

Matt Ceccato

What is a gorilla’s average land speed?

Sharika Elahi

how accurate/inaccurate was Tarzan in their portrayal of gorilla behavior and socialization

Sarah Sutcliffe

I'd really love to go see gorillas in the wild in Uganda one day, but won't do it if its harmful. Are tourism programs where you visit gorillas considered safe/low impact for the gorillas? It can be really hard to tell if ecotourism is legit or not, because no-one is going to flat out own up to harmful business practices even when they actually are so you have to take marketing with a grain of salt, but I also know there are lots of instances where people protest against ecotourism activities that actually have minimal impact and a net environmental benefit when you take awareness-raising and money for conservation activities into account.

One Dova

Can you tell me about Cocoa the Gorilla?

Elena Horne

I’m curious to hear Dr Stoinski’s thoughts on the Harambe incident.

Brooke Fitchett

What are the ethical considerations involved in keeping gorillas in captivity?

Kristin Dawn

Can you tell us about the emotional capacity of gorillas?

Kristin Dawn

Why are mountain gorilas the best and also, how dangerous is it to be a park ranger in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

Melanie Lee

What do the ethics looks like for keeping gorilla in zoos? I can’t imagine they’re happy in these environments, even with “enrichment”.

Ro6ot

“Amy... Good... Depiction”

Kylie M Smith

I know that chimpanzees have been known to use tools (like sticking a stick down a termite hole to eat some little critters) — have any similar behaviors been observed in gorillas?

Harper

How does gorilla social structure compare to other primates? Do gorillas, like some monkey species, use sex as a kind of social tool to establish hierarchy or friendship? What kinds of behavioral adaptations, if any, have gorillas learned to better survive contact with humans (poachers, researchers, tourists)?

Chris Moore

Do gorillas cry 😢🦍

Terena

What is the power hierarchy between male and female gorillas? Are there female leaders of a group?

Lauren McGregor

I have worked with gorillas in the past and were my favourite primate to work with. Is it weird I liked their musty smell haha?

Paige McLachlan

Why do their heads have those protruding bumps at the top? Also, why do they walk on their knuckles as opposed to having their hands flat out? Is it just easier to do it on their knuckles?

Brent Maphis

Back in 2008, over like 120,000 gorillas were found to live in the congo for the first time. How did we not know about that large of a band? Could there be more? And maybe a bigfoot species in America?

Average_pi

Could the book the one and only Ivan actually happen and why do the gorillas do the pounding on chests? Do gorillas eat meet? What does the gorilla thing of me? Why they so cute then so scary? Why do baby gorillas do piggybacks? are gorillas ever gay( do gorillas be doing their same gendered gorillas? 🦍🦍🖤🦍🦍 Thanks!

Sylvia Scharf

I literally don't have any questions I just have loved apes since I was an extremely smol person.

Gina Woolsey

What kind of examples have we seen with gorillas planning for the future and understanding consequences?

Kristen Rosenblum

Can gorillas see colors and 3D style eyesight like humans? How does their pregnancy, birth and early life compare to humans? What would be the best career for a gorilla disguising itself in human society for a day?

Sam Nelson

So about gorillas and language, has there been any new developments?

Liz

Say you come across a gorilla in the wild… what do you do to avoid an attack? If you were attacked, is there any chance of survival?

Christina Johnson

First time question asker! What is the ancestry of gorillas..the lineage of the species!! I'd love to learn more about their family dynamics, temperament, how long the young stay with their parents, courtship, do they always live in a similar area..or do they travel throughout their lives, what kind of environment do they need to thrive, how can we help them, etc. Love this topic!!

Lara El-Hoss

First time question asker! Talk to me about gorilla social groups and parenting. What kind of parents are they? What do you think humans can learn from gorillas about parenting our young?

Becky Peterman

(Second-time question asker :P) How much do we know about the common ancestor(s) shared by gorillas and humans? What are some of the neat ways that gorillas have evolved differently from us since our species diverged? What is their social structure like? Do different bands have distinct cultures?

Marie

Can you boop the nose playfully and survive?

Dr Laura M Smith

Why are gorillas so massive compared to other primates?

Kristy Lowrey

On a scale of 1 to 10: how much do they truly enjoy the mists?

Gerald Thompson

I've heard they have teeny itty bitty penises. Please elaborate.

Dr Laura M Smith

(How) is conservation management tailored to manage the different subspecies and populations of gorillas?

Dr Laura M Smith

What is the risk of disease transmission between humans and gorillas, and how can it be better managed?

DAZU

What's up with ape cousins, those humans? Why are they so weird and hairless and why do they like right angles so much? Do apes look at humans the way we look at hairless mole rats, with a bit of pity but also some smirks? What do apes think of us??

Dr Laura M Smith

How do gorilla conservation organisations work collaboratively with local communities to carry out on-ground conservation management? What are the success stories and what are the challenges? Are we moving beyond the white saviour complex that plagues charity and conservation work?

Christopher Go

Was Harambe really trying to protect the child before or harm him? Were there studies regarding that accident back then on the relational ties between gorillas and humans?

Jennifer Lovitt

Are gorillas ever born with mixed genitalia. Do they ever assume gender roles that don’t match their genitalia?

Anna Reed

I would also love to know some of the pros/cons of gorilla tourism. It seems more expensive and controlled than orangutan tourism for example - is that a good thing? How much do tourism dollars help conservation? Is disease spread from humans an issue?

Tim Pfarr

Why are gorillas so strong and how do they maintain that strength? Is it just from walking around on their hands and stuff? Or are they secretly bench pressing trees when nobody is looking?

Lizard Queen

First time QA: How does a gorillas sense of smell compare to that of a human's? Looking at their nose or nostrils, are they better adapted to smells the smells than we are?

Alexandre Catulle

How is their sight? Do they see all colours, far/close?

Mira Simantov

Why/how does the silver back get a silver back?

sidney

I just watched a video of a gorilla 'petting' a groundhog at a zoo. Was I right to feel nervous for the groundhog?

Filip Strömberg

Can gorillas swim? I know chimps can’t as they’re mainly muscle and barely any body fat, so are gorillas the same in that sense?

Jesse Moses

What’s the deal with dick bones? Why do they have them?

Ruby Bray

What are the similarities and differences in humans and gorillas. Is planet of the Apes a possible reality?

Mallory Nettleton

What's the significance of the male Silverback gorillas developing their distinct coloring? Is it to show dominance to outsiders?

Leonie

First time QA: Do different groups of gorillas have different social structures? As in, do the social structures within a group of gorillas depend on where they are living/what resources they have or is it more innate?

Wemily

Why do they nest on the ground? Is it simply because they are too heavy for the trees or is there an advantage to doing this? 🦍

Jenna A

Ahhhh soooo EXCITED!!!! How long do Gorillas take to make their nests and how thick do they make them............why do they make them 🤔

Scalebar

What do they smell like? I kind of imagine a mix of dog with a hint of gym changing room

Gavin

Are there meaningful differences in intelligence or behaviour between mountain and lowland gorilla populations?

Kalila Elahi

First time question asker! When I was a little kid my dad told me gorillas didn’t need to drink water because they ate so much parsley and I believed that until I was way too old. So I’d like to know, what kinds of foods are gorillas favorite? How much water do they typically drink, and can they even eat parsley?????

Jesse Hurlburt

How far away are gorillas in our family tree?

Jesse Hurlburt

I've heard that only one silverback is in a troop at a time. If that's the case do the other males just live alone? What percentage of babies are males vs females?

Jesse Hurlburt

What percentage of their diet is meat? Do they hunt at all?

Caitlyn Schmaus

Why are gorillas so adept to learning sign language? Do you think we can teach this other ape species? What sets them apart from others like coco the gorilla?

Cici 🩷

Are gorillas doing better than they were? I know there’s a big focus on saving them from extinction, so I’m curious if progress has been made?

Camille Charlebois

First time question asker! I watched Tarzan (1999) recently and I need to know: would Tarzan actually win against Kerchak? 🦍

Popita

Do Gorillas have as complex a social system as other apes like us or chimps? What are some ways they communicate with each other?

Autumn Knol

What came first evolutionarily - big apes or little apes? :)

Patrick Hedden

side note in case this makes it on air, it's pronounced "headin" - Long time listener, First time question asker what is the largest gorilla that we have ever recorded? In other words, how close have we gotten to meeting King Kong?

Emilee Lance

Could Tarzan be real? Would a group of gorillas ever take care of a human?

Kelsey Gerbig

First off, dream job! Do you ever take interns? Second, in regards to infectious disease: do you see cases of Ebola, and if so, what kind of PPR or precautions do you take in the field? Third, so excited for this episode.

alicia t

AH!! 1st time question asker and HELLA excited for this episode- thank you for all that you do, you are amazeballs! When it comes to sexual selection do the ladies truly love that bahunkis (booty) or are they more prone to loving a larger sagittal crest on a male? Or do they just see the strongest male and follow that dude?? Why are they just overall the bestest?? thanks!!

Kevin Glover

I think humans think that gorillas are the epitome of “masculinity” because silverbacks demonstrate dominance over females, are extremely hirsute, and have top-heavy musculature. Humans also equate giant dongs with “masculinity”. Evolutionary speaking how can male gorillas (who possess the first three traits in spades) have such tiny dicks, yet penis size is seen as such a measurement of masculine superiority amongst human males?

Amanda Gripe

What is one thing a person on this side of the world can do to protect gorillas?

Chandler Witherington

First of all, I just have to say that I read this email this morning and gasped and said out loud "GORILLAS??????". I am so excited for this. My question is how are they so huge and strong yet are strictly vegetarians? Also, how do you feel about gorillas in zoos?

Sarah Asher

Are there any insights on human behavior inferred by observing gorilla behavior?

Robin Stumbo

there's some criticism about whether Koko the gorilla could actually speak sign language, but what types of verbal or non-verbal *do* gorillas use? it's frustrating when people act like an animal using human forms of communication automatically makes them more intelligent, as if many animals don't already have complex forms of communication of their own. 🙄

Sarah Asher

How do you feel about Gorillas in captivity? What changes can we make to our Zoo systems to make their lives better?

Taylor F

How does one become a gorilla scientist?

Beck

Male gorillas are known to be aggressive (RIP Harambe), but what about the females? Do they fight amongst themselves? Will they fight males to defend their babies? And do they interact with other primates, and if so, how?

Jenna Palermo

I’ve got to know about art gorillas. What’s with primeapes and painting? Is that something that they’ve learned to do from humans? Is it an enrichment thing for them? Or is it just another thing for humans entertainment? 🤩

Sonjabird

Where are we truly at in regards to saving the mountain gorilla? What is the status of political instability and fossil fuel exploration in the region they live?

Charlie MacKenzie

Why do most wild gorilla groups have one adult male (the silverback) but some have multiple males?? How do they not kill each other/commit infanticide when there are multiple males ?? Are there any factors that have been discovered that seem to influence whether a group is a one-male unit vs a multi-male group? (Thank you alie im such a huge fan and so excited for this episode!)

Nikki DeMarco

Do gorillas have any natural predators? (besides humans and global warming etc)

Nikki DeMarco

Do gorillas play any games in the wild?

Emily

(first time question asker!) What are your favorite movie representations of gorillas? Seems like there are so many - from Tarzan to Planet of the Apes to Mighty Joe young. I recently watched Rampage, and now want a gorilla best friend (a la Dwayne 'the Rock' Johnson's character). Are any of these movie stars an accurate representation of the species?

A Kid From Kansas

I have to know - how accurate is Tarzan (the Disney movie) when it comes to gorilla behavior??

Hannah Boyd

I'm curious about why monkeys have tails and apes don't? Also are there ever mixing of gorilla species, like how polar bears and grizzly bears can mate?

Jessi B

What does gorilla language look like? Is it just chest beating and grunts? Does it vary family to family or species to species?

daniel schmaniel

I saw a video of a gorilla named Michael using sign language to describe a memory about his mother; how much is ASL a reliable communication of thoughts/memories vs mimicry and wishful interpretation?

Courtney Jones

How long are gorillas pregnant? How long do they raise their babies?

Scotty Dee

I understand that the gorilla populations have increased in the last decade or so. Do you think the current amount of protected habitat in Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC is enough to maintain a robust population of mountain gorillas?

Miriam

When gorillas use ASL is it really language communication, or is it more of positive reinforcement "if I do this weird thing I will get this response" type of trained response??

Allison D

I'm also curious about gorillas in captivity! Is it better for gorillas to be in an artificial but (I hope) safe environment like a zoo or a preserve, vs in their natural habitat even with all the risks involved?

Mary Kay VanDeVelde

I saw a gorilla freak out at zoo bc there was a dog, is this a reaction to a predator or just didn't like dogs? I would think in the wild they, or any domestic dog relative, are not a threat.

Mie [me-ay]

what’s the most common misconception about gorillas (if any)

Mie [me-ay]

i read that gorillas and humans have 98% of the same dna. what’s the 2% that differs and how does that determine our differences?

Richard

How do gorillas deal with their fingernails/toenails without clippers? Do they get hangnails? Do they do any kind of nail-grooming?

Mie [me-ay]

how would someone become a primatologist? what kind of schooling and field work would be required to be considered one?

Holly Mixon

Is it true that there is only 1 silverback per troop of gorillas?

Megan Stanton

These are not about gorillas in particular, but more about the people around them. (1) Poaching seems to be done generally by people who may not have other means of supporting their families. Are there incentives or opportunities being made available to nearby communities who may be relying on poaching for an income? (2) Are there ethical volunteer opportunities for aspiring veterinarians/vet techs to help with conservation or research activities?

Kelli Brockington

Gorilla communication - do they have something similar to elephants in a frequency humans cannot hear - Has it been studied -- like what grunts & squeaks mean???? Love / Danger, etc...

Kelli Brockington

Poaching - why & who wants this stuff (heads, hands...) Ugh - so disgusting... Also - is there a witchy connection - like their spleen will give long life, etc...

Alyssandra Goss

In what manner do gorillas share the same genetic makeup has humans? Do they share similar aspects of the prefrontal cortex as us? It’s to my understanding that the primary difference between animals and humans is the function and use of the prefrontal cortex. To what extent do we share the full spectrum of this portion of the brain with gorillas? First time question asker as well!!

Sarah Meaden

Do gorillas recognize humans as a related species? Or is that just a bizarre thought I have?

Danielle d'Eon

*First question ever! : Do you sometimes observe humans like you would observe gorillas? Example: When you are at important social events (wedding, graduation...) do you ever look at the humans around you and think "wow these apes have evolved in such a strange way."?

Ron Koehler

How much stronger is a gorilla compared to a human athlete of the same size, and why are animals' muscles stronger than humans ?

Quinn West

How is the alpha male gorilla decided? Like is it just who is the biggest or do they all just know??

Mercedes Maitland (Lead editor, Ologies)

I wrote my primatology term paper on the really awful impacts of anthroponoses (esp. polio, pneumonia, and rotavirus) on wild chimpanzees from tourism and research activities. Have there been similar outbreaks in gorillas? Are they as susceptible to human disease as chimps? Are there better protections in place now?

Mercedes Maitland (Lead editor, Ologies)

What's up with gorillas in zoos being so fascinated with human mothers & babies and pregnant people? Are they really just big softies? And are gorilla dads truly doting fathers like the documentary I saw suggested?

Mercedes Maitland (Lead editor, Ologies)

Do gorillas and chimps clash much, or have to compete for the same resources? I was taught that bonobos evolved to be much more chill on the other side of the Congo river in part because they didn't have to compete as much with other great apes.

Mark Hewlette

Do you approve of tourists visiting the gorillas in the wild? If so, is there an organization you would recommend? Are there any helpful hints for those wishing to take a trip to see gorillas in the wild? What are the differences between Eastern & Western gorillas? Lowland vs Mountain? If we are ever lucky enough to view gorillas in the wild, what should we do or not do to optimize our experience (and that of the Gorillas)?

Jess

1st time question asker!! What is your opinion about gorillas in zoos? It seems horrible to me that we keep such a large and intelligent creature in confinement.

Sara E.

First time question-asker! Literally the only bucket list item I have is to see gorillas in the wild. What is the most ethical and least disturbing way to the gorillas to do this? Are there “voluncation” opportunities where we can spend a vacation helping out on-the-ground efforts?

Hudson Ansley

Has the poaching situation improved any? Recalling some horrific stories about this including an illegal market for gorilla hands ... How threatened are mountain gorillas with climate change? (boy, I'm full of cheery thoughts today :/ )

Brittany Winchester

Why are baby gorillas so fuggin cute? Also would you rather fight a gorilla once per year or face off against an angry chicken in your car every single day?

Nina Katz-Christy

First time question asker! Are there gay gorillas?

Hey, Art3mis!

Do gorilla's knuckles ever hurt from walking on them? Or are they like the balls of our feet?

Some Random Frog

Do gorillas actually beat their chests or is that just a cartoon thing?

Emily Hoban

do gorillas have unique fingerprints like humans?

Earl of Greymalkin

1) What colors do gorillas come in? How many different kinds of gorillas are there? 2) What kinds of behaviors and communication styles do gorillas have and how does that compare to us? 3) How do gorillas fit into and shape the environment they live in? Are they a keystone species? 4) Do gorillas ever have pets in the wild? (Question inspired by Koko) 5) What can gorilla biology teach us about humans? 6) How soft are they? 7) What do gorilla social structures look like? Do different groups have their own cultures? 8) If you could rewrite the script for King Kong, what would the plot be?

Emily Davies

Since there are so few gorillas left in the wild, how is the genetic diversity of those groups doing? Do you worry about inbreeding issues? Also, don’t you love the clip of Attenborough and the gorillas?!?!

Dianna Patreon

What is the deal with gorilla skulls? Why are the so pointy?

Scott Hanley

What is the real story of Dianne Fossey’s passing from the hand of someone? In the Snap Judgement podcast: Zoo Nebraska, Carson Vaughan said that he got an internship with Ms Fossey and arrived just around the time of her death, he also said that Ms Fossey tortured/(killed?) Gorilla poachers.

Nicole Losurdo

First time question asker! What kinds of tools do gorillas use? And what is their intelligence like compared to other non-human primates?

Shelby

What kinds of social learning do you see in gorillas? How do they compare with other nonhuman primate species?

Tania Domenech

First time question asker. Asking on behalf of my 10-year-old kiddo. What is the difference of social structures and behaviors of gorillas when you compare them to other primates?

Allison D.

Are there any gorillas we are currently able to communicate with the way we did with Koko?

The Awkward Cactus

First time question asker! Can gorillas get COVID-19? If so, how has the scientific community helped with this? Also, what are your thoughts on the theory of HIV/AIDS starting due to coitus between a human and gorillas?

ALopez

Do all male gorillas become silverbacks or is it something special? How do they get SO STRONG?! Can gorillas swim? Also, my husband wants to know who wins in a fight between a gorilla and a bear, gorilla and a shark, gorilla and a horse?

Elyse Chezick

First time question asker!! What are the most common ailments for gorillas? (I'm thinking disease-ridden ticks, nasty stagnant water, or a rotten batch of bananas) Do they have any immunity super powers?

Scott Hanley

“Fossey strongly opposed wildlife tourism, as gorillas are susceptible to human anthroponotic diseases like influenza from which they have limited immunity. Fossey reported several cases in which gorillas died because of diseases spread by tourists. She also viewed tourism as an interference into their natural wild behavior.[7] Fossey also criticized tourist programs, often paid for by international conservation organizations, for interfering with both her research and the peace of the mountain gorillas' habitat, and was concerned that Jane Goodall, was inappropriately changing her study of chimpanzees' behavior.[29] As of 2016, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International promotes tourism, which they say helps to create a stable and sustainable local community dedicated to protecting the gorillas and their habitat.[55]” Quote from Wikipedia that I read after I posted my question above.

Brittney Corrigan

Does the behavior Koko exhibited with her kitten ever happen in the wild? Would a gorilla ever bond with a smaller animal of another species like that outside of captivity?

Emma Seidler

What kind of ways do gorillas use to communicate with each other - do they have any social similarities to humans? They’re just like big hairy humans, right??

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Comment edits

2026-09-06 05:00 First time question asker! Most indigenous populations have some sort of myth related to Bigfoot- hairy man, the yeti, the yowie, etc. Do these myths exist in areas where gorillas roam? How likely do you think it is that Bigfoot is a gorilla/ape relative? Do you think that gorillas and Bigfoot could have a common ancestor like Gigantopithecus?
2022-05-19 04:10

BENJAMIN

Did there used to be lots of different types gorillas? What has their evolution looked like?

Heather Clarke

First time question asker In zoos, gorillas seem to experience more heart disease than their wild counterparts. Is it because of the small genetic population seen in zoos, diet and exercise, or is it due to gorillas living longer in zoos than in the wild and is an age related disease?

Taryn Selch

First time question asker checking in! Do gorillas interact with non-gorilla animals in any ways that are similar to the ways humans interact with non-human animals? Do they watch birds? Do they have pets? Do they take advantage of the behaviors of other animals in a way thats analagous to the way we train animals to do jobs? P.s. Alie if you end up asking my question I use she/her pronouns.

Mimz

My 9yo son Elliot is obsessed with smologies and bleeped episodes, love to see it. He wants to know, how big are their families and do they stay together forever?

Living it Up

what are male and female dynamics like ? and are they monogamous or do they bang who they want when they want ??

GeoKrissy

first-time asker...diving in... are there any physiological differences between gorillas that live in high altitudes compared to those living close to sea level?

Leora Shimon

what's your best story of gorilla political intrigue?

Izalina Bittencourt

What is gorilla “parenting” like? Based on Tarzan it seems very involved but how accurate is that? Do baby gorillas play with each other/ their mothers? How long after birth do they stay with their mothers?

Larissa Parsons Vafiades

Since they are so genetically similar to humans, can gorillas experience the same or similar conditions as us, like asthma, diabetes (type 1 or 2), PCOS, hyper/hypothyroidisms, etc? First time question asker!!!!

Kelsey Caudebec

First time question asker but millionth-time question wonderer! Do gorillas have rituals? This maybe relates to a bigger question of, do they use signs and symbols? - Kelsey and Judd

Katie Murray

Is there any particular reason for the silver on the back of a silverback? (Yes this is a genuine question)

Caroline Baril

Would a gorilla actually tend to a baby human if they found one? *cue epic phil collins soundtrack*

gg

Am I making a pun when I say I go ape over gorillas?

Alex McKay

Who would win in a fight, a gorilla or a bear?

Arran Cass

Why so scary? Yet, so cuddly?

Kathleen Sachs

Yes, I have similar questions about visiting wild gorillas. If I remember correctly, the guard that had attempted to protect the group of gorillas was shot and killed by poachers recently.

Kathleen Sachs

I have a related question. Is there a Covid vaccine now available to them?

Kathleen Sachs

I imagine that, if you bopped that particular snoot, you would have to run *very fast*. Maybe stick to bopping cat and dog snoots. They’re not apex predators that can rip a human’s arm off a la Chewbacca the Wookie.

Destin Oliveira

Vocalizations, sign language. If gorillas can be taught sign language could they be taught to speak?

n

long time first time, what is the best way to support gorillas remaining in the wild? are they facing extinction and what can we do?