Why do Gorillas Beat Their Chest? | Video

Gorillas sometimes beat their chest. So why do gorillas beat their chest or why you should not beat your chest in front of Gorilla?

Why do Gorillas Beat Their Chest?


Recognizing the sounds and signs that gorillas use to express their feelings has been key to demystifying them.

The gorilla's most popular gesture is the pounding of the chest, they stand on two legs, and suddenly hit their chest with open hands - rather than punching their idols - as described in the films.

Why Do Gorillas Beat Their Chest?



Mountain Gorilla often beat their chests whenever they feel a threat/ danger. When a beating happens, it may indicate that a gorilla is going to charge at a human or any other enemy. Gorilla can signal a warning, that it is going to attack if you don't go away from its zone.

They also pound their chest as a sign of victory or because they have won a battle.

They beat chests to attract females and show how mighty they are.

Mountain gorillas seldom beat their chest when communicating. The silver pounds his chest and move away as a way of communicating with group members to follow him up. 

Silverback can also beat chest when another Silverback tries to challenge his dominance. The commanding silverback will beat his chest to deliver a warning to the young silverback and sometimes, the youngster may retreat or fight.

Additionally, there are other signs that gorillas perform for communication or even threatening an enemy. These include making loud noises and grunts, hooting, roars, tearing and throwing plants, laughing and sticking their tongue out, stamping feet on the ground thunderously, and a lot more. Gorillas use communication for several things like expressing happiness or distress when mating and communicating within their own group. 

Do Female Gorillas Beat their Chests?

Even females and juveniles may be seen chest-beating. A female will generally chest beat if she's quarreling with a different female group member, or when a juvenile is aggravating her. Juveniles also pound their chest when they want to initiate playtime together with other gorillas.

What Happens if you Beat your Chest in front of a Gorilla?

A couple of people in a zoo in the USA were in for a shock after one of the gorillas at a glass enclosure charged at them and was able to break the glass.

Even though it's unclear when it happened, a video of the incident that occurred in the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska has triggered off an active conversation online.

The video which was published on Reddit and titled 'A three-piece inch of glass between death and life,' shows a girl pounding her chest, after which the silverback gorilla charges and slams himself against the glass.

How far can you hear a Gorilla Chest Beat?

2 kilometres

This noise is amplified by the hollow space inside its chest and can be heard as far as two kilometres away! 

What Happens if you make Eye Contact with a Gorilla?

If you keep looking into the eyes of a gorilla, it usually means that you are an enemy who has come to interrupt the family members and you're ready to challenge the gorilla. consequently, Direct eye contact can trigger the silverback to charge and fight you in the protection of his loved ones.

Additionally, the gorilla is naturally a very shy animal. Like shy humans, staring directly into the eyes of gorilla make them feel insecure and uncomfortable and when interrupted by your direct eye contact, they can charge sharply at you to protect themselves.

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