How smart are gorillas? Gorilla intelligence

Communication: The Gorilla Language

Even if they can’t speak, gorillas have been seen to communicate using a wide range of communications means such as; vocalizations, gestures, and facial expressions to relay information, convey emotions, warnings and to strengthen their social bonds.

Vocalizations: Gorillas have over 20 distinct sounds, including grunts, barks, and roars. Each sound serves a specific purpose, such as calling group members or signaling aggression.

In the wild, the most commonly practiced mode of communication is non-verbal. Gorillas use gestures like chest-beating, pointing, or arm movements to express intent or establish dominance among others.

For example, a silverback gorilla will bang his chests to exert dominance and him alone can do that in a given gorilla family. Doing so by another group member implies challenging the alpha dominant male.

Gorillas also communicate through facial expression. A gorilla’s face can convey subtle emotions that are properly understood by fellow gorillas and some other animals, just like humans. A relaxed face indicates calmness, while a tight-lipped expression can signal being provoked.

Some captive gorillas, like the famous Koko, have even learned to use sign language, further demonstrating their ability to adapt and learn.

Tool Use: Innovation in Action

Wild gorillas have been observed using tools to solve problems in their environment, the rate of tool usage is incomparable to chimpanzees. Because of this, chimpanzees are regarded to be a bit wiser because of their ability to think critically and adapt.

In most recent researches, gorillas have been sighted using sticks to gauge the depth of water, bamboo as ladder for infants to climb.

Also, recently, gorillas have been spotted for the first time using sticks to tap ants without being stung.

Leaf Sponges: Gorillas fold leaves to create sponges for scooping water from tree holes.

Stick Probing: In swampy areas, gorillas use sticks to test water depth before crossing.

Nut-Cracking: Though rare, some gorillas use rocks to break open tough nuts, showcasing their problem-solving skills.

These actions demonstrate not only intelligence but also the capacity for creativity and planning.

Social Intelligence

Gorillas live in complex social groups with very many individual in a single family, keeping harmony and living in this type of family require strong interpersonal skills.

Gorillas show empathy, cooperation, and even problem-solving during group interactions. They even mourn the loss of a family member.

Conflict Resolution: Dominant silverbacks mediate disputes within the group to maintain harmony.

Empathy: Gorillas comfort each other during stressful situations, such as the loss of an infant.

Play and Learning: Young gorillas learn social rules and survival skills through play, mimicking older group members.