Lots of people think that gorillas beat their chests just to show dominance or challenge. However, a new study has recently revealed that this behavior isn’t what we’ve always thought. Join KnowAllAnimals to find out “Why Gorillas Beat Their Chest?” in the following article!
1. Why Gorillas Beat Their Chest? Explained Simply
A study published in the journal Scientific Reports concluded that a Gorilla‘s chest-beating is actually a non-verbal communication that “encodes” their competitive ability rather than just a display of strength.
The chest-beating itself is an interesting form of communication that is unlike what humans do. It’s not a voice but an action that shows off physical strength that can be both seen and heard.
To reach their conclusion, researchers recorded the sound of chest beats using photogrammetry. This method allowed the scientists to stay far away from the male gorillas, as these extremely powerful animals in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, pose a potential danger.
However, even with photogrammetry, the scientists still had to be in the right place at the right time to capture the chest beats.
The results showed that larger male gorillas produced lower-frequency sounds, while smaller males had higher-frequency sounds. Lower-frequency sounds travel farther than higher-frequency sounds, meaning larger males can be more formidable competitors. This is very useful for males of similar or smaller size, who can use this information to decide whether it’s worth confronting a rival or backing down.
In a previous study by the same research team, it was shown that larger male mountain gorillas not only have a social advantage but also have a higher reproductive success rate than smaller males.
Female gorillas also gather information from the sound of the males’ chest beats to decide on a worthy mate.
“Gorilla chest beating is one of the most iconic sounds in the animal kingdom, so it’s great that we’ve been able to demonstrate that body size is encoded in these spectacular displays,” said Edward Wright, the study’s author from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.
2. FAQs
1. Do only male gorillas beat their chests?
No. While chest-beating is most often seen in adult male gorillas (silverbacks), females and young gorillas sometimes do this as well, usually during play or to express excitement.
2. Is chest-beating a sign of aggression in gorillas?
Not always. Chest-beating can be a warning to avoid conflict, but it is also used for communication or simply to assert their presence.
3. Do gorillas beat their chests to attract females?
Yes. For adult male gorillas, chest-beating is a way to display strength and attract the attention of females.
4. How do gorillas make the chest-beating sound?
Gorillas typically use cupped hands rather than fists to beat their chests, which creates a loud, resonant sound without causing themselves pain.
5. Can chest-beating help gorillas avoid fights?
Yes. A loud and decisive beat can make rivals wary, thereby helping to prevent unnecessary fights.
3. Conclusion
A gorilla’s chest-beating is more than just a symbol of strength; it is a complex form of communication in nature. It helps them establish their social status, attract mates, and even prevent conflicts. Understanding this behavior helps us see that gorillas are not just the “giants” of the jungle but also intelligent and emotional animals. We hope this article from Know All Animals has answered your question about “Why Do Gorillas Beat Their Chest?“. Thank you!
