A. Gestation
Gestation for gorillas is about 250 to 285 days.
B. Frequency of Births.
1. The interval between births is about 4 to 4.5 years if the offspring survives.
2. Mortality for young gorillas is about
40% because of injury, illness, and the long period of dependency on the mother that also
faces these risks (Schaller, 1963). Over a lifetime, females usually raise three young to
maturity.
C. Gorillas at Birth.
A newborn gorilla weighs about 1.4 to 1.8 kg (3-4 lb.).
D. Care and Development of Young.
1. Newborn gorillas are totally dependent on their mother for care and are clutched
belly-to-belly for close contact for the first few months. At about two months they have
developed enough strength and coordination to cling to their mother's hair unsupported 50%
of the day.
2. An infant gorilla begins crawling at about nine weeks, riding on its mother's back
at about 16 weeks, walking at about 35 weeks, and wandering among group members at about
one year.
3. Gorilla babies develop physical skills about twice as fast as human babies.
4. Juveniles are weaned at about 2 1/2 years and begin building their own nests for
sleeping.
5. Silverbacks are tolerant parents that successfully rear weaned orphaned or abandoned juveniles.
Scientific Classification|Habitat and Distribution|Physical Characteristics and Special Adaptations|Senses|Behavior|Diet and Eating Habits|Reproduction|Birth and Care of Young|Communication|Longevity|Conservation
Issues|Bibliography|Specific Index
SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Animal Information Database
www.seaworld.org / www.buschgardens.org
©2002 by Busch Gardens, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.