Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Primate Behaviour
- Social Organisation in Gorillas
- Mountain Gorillas live in stable groups of around 10 individuals
- Usually consists of one mature
dominant male, a number of
adult females and their
offspring
- The dominant male protects the other members
of the group, leads them and is the only male
that mates with the females.
- As younger males reach
sexual maturity they leave
the group and live alone
until they are mature
enough to attract females.
- Social Behaviour in Gorillas
- Grooming is an important activity. One individual picks the parasites
from the fur of another reinforcing relationships between individuals
- Care of offspring is the role of the mother.
- During the first 5 months the infant remains
in constant contract with the mother.
- By the age of 12
months, infants will
venture as far as 5m
away from the
mother.
- During this period the female protects
the young gorilla as it learns the social
and other skills for living independently.
- Further learning takes place at the
age of two where the young play
together and imitate adult behaviour of
foraging for food
- The silverback is important in
the development of the young
ages 3-6, both in terms of
protection from older males
within the group and in p0lay
as a source of new skills
- Communication System Exists
- A variety of calls, displays and grunts are
used to signal danger to other members.
- Facial expressions are also
important in terms of
recognition.
- Advantages of Social Behaviour
- Females give birth to only one or
very few infants at a time to enhance
the survival rate of the young.
- The young learn through observation
of and play with other members.
- Knowledge and protection of food
sources shared in the group