What do you call a gathering of these magnificent creatures, the gentle giants of the forest? A group of gorillas is most commonly referred to as a troop or a band, terms that hint at the complex social structures and family dynamics that define their lives.
The term "troop" is often used to describe a more structured and stable group, typically consisting of a dominant male, known as a silverback, along with several females and their offspring. These troops can range in size, from a few individuals to as many as 30, each member playing a role in the intricate social fabric. The silverback, the patriarch of the troop, is responsible for the safety and well-being of his family, making crucial decisions and ensuring the group's survival.
Band is another term, that is also used to identify a gathering of gorillas. The composition can be similar to a troop, sometimes including younger males, known as blackbacks, who haven't yet developed the silver-colored backs that mark their leadership potential.
The origins of the term "whoop" in relation to gorillas is actually quite intriguing, stemming from a comedy skit. While not a standard scientific term, it offers a glimpse into the playful human connection with these animals.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Common Group Names | Troop, Band, Family, sometimes referred to as a Group |
| Typical Troop Composition | Dominant silverback, multiple adult females, offspring, and sometimes younger males (blackbacks) |
| Troop Size Range | 5 to 30 individuals |
| Silverback Role | Leader, protector, responsible for troop security, sole mating partner |
| Blackbacks | Younger males (8-12 years old) who have not yet developed silver backs; they serve as assistant and have to leave the group after some time |
| Habitat | Tropical rainforests |
| Diet | Vegetarian: leaves, shoots, roots, stems, fruits (diet varies by species) |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable or Endangered (depending on species and subspecies) |
| Conservation Threats | Habitat loss, poaching, disease, human encroachment |
| Social Behavior | Complex social structures, communication systems, and reproductive strategies |
| Sleep | Gorillas do not sleep in the same place two consecutive nights |
The lives of gorillas are as compelling as their imposing size. These primates, our distant relatives, share many characteristics with humans, particularly in their social structures. They are also primates, meaning they are distantly related to monkeys and lemurs. Their daily routines are relatively quiet, focusing on foraging for food, socializing within the group, and raising their young.
Gorillas are primarily vegetarian, consuming a diet of leaves, shoots, roots, stems, and fruits. The specific composition of their diet varies depending on the species and the season. For example, mountain gorillas primarily feed on stems, shoots, pith, and leaves, with fruits playing a smaller role. Eastern lowland gorillas, however, have a more diverse diet, with fruits constituting a more significant portion, around 25% in some seasons. An adult male gorilla can consume up to 30 kilograms of plant matter per day, while adult females typically eat around 18 kilograms.
The distinction between a band and a troop is often subtle. A "band" is a term that may be used when referring to smaller, less structured groups, sometimes consisting of a silverback and his immediate family. A "troop," on the other hand, implies a more established and cohesive social unit. The dynamics of these groups are influenced by the individual silverback's leadership style, the age and sex distribution within the group, and the specific environmental conditions.
The gorilla is not the same for all, the world knows two species of gorillas, further subdivided into subspecies: the western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) and the eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei). Each of these species and its subspecies has unique characteristics, including variations in their physical appearance, habitat, and social behaviors.
The western gorilla is composed of two subspecies: the western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and the Cross River gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli). Western lowland gorillas inhabit the dense rainforests and swamps of Central Africa, while the critically endangered Cross River gorillas are found in a small area along the border of Nigeria and Cameroon. Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) inhabit the high-altitude cloud forests of the Virunga Mountains, which span parts of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri) is found in the lowland forests of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
One of the most striking features of gorilla society is the dominance of the silverback. The silverback is the undisputed leader of the troop, typically the oldest and strongest male. His silver-colored back, earned with age, is a sign of his maturity and experience. The silverback's responsibilities are extensive, including protecting the troop from danger, mediating conflicts, guiding the group to food sources, and mating with the females.
The social structure of gorilla troops is complex and hierarchical. Within the troop, different roles and relationships exist. Females establish bonds with each other and with the silverback, while younger males, or blackbacks, may serve as assistants to the silverback or eventually leave the troop to form their own. Male gorillas between 8 and 12 years old are called "blackbacks," as they wont become silverbacks until they are 12 to 15 years old. This makes them close relatives of the other great apes, including humans, chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans.
Gorillas often remain confined to a vegetarian diet, which differs from one species to the other, however, as mentioned before, mountain gorillas feed on stems, shoots, pith, and leaves, with fruits occupying a minimal part of what they eat and the diet of the eastern lowland gorillas is diverse, changing seasonally, Besides pith and leaves, fruits also hold about 25% of the food.
The lives of gorillas are also impacted by the environment they live in. For the eastern lowland gorilla groups, the female gorillas may stay in the same place, waiting for a new dominant male to arrive and protect them, they mostly live in a family group.
In some cases, troops may also include one or more younger males. Male gorillas reaching sexual maturity do not start reproducing immediately. Young males reach the size of an adult female around the age of 8 to 10 and are then called blackback males. Between the ages of 12 and 15, blackback males start developing a grey coloration of the hair of their back. Their body size and muscle mass keep increasing. Aside from a few exceptions, groups consist of more adult females than adult males. Most subspecies of gorillas have groups that consist of one dominant adult male, multiple adult females and their young.
The threats faced by gorillas are numerous and severe. Habitat loss, driven by deforestation for agriculture, logging, and mining, is a major concern. Poaching, the illegal hunting of gorillas for bushmeat and the pet trade, also poses a significant danger. Disease, often transmitted from humans to gorillas, can decimate populations. Human encroachment, as human populations expand into gorilla habitats, further increases the risk of conflict and transmission of disease.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect gorillas and their habitats. These efforts include anti-poaching patrols, community-based conservation programs, habitat restoration projects, and ecotourism initiatives. The success of these efforts is crucial to the survival of these amazing primates.
The study of gorillas and their families is a testament to their complex social lives. A more informal name for a collection of gorillas is a whoop, which came about due to a comedy skit, these highly social primates live in structured family groups led by a dominant silverback male, who ensures the safety and cohesion of the troop. These groups of gorillas are called a troop, or a band and they live a social life in the tropical rainforests, also referred to as families.
If you have the opportunity to see gorillas in their natural habitat, in places like Rwanda, Uganda, or the Congo, you will have an unforgettable experience. These expeditions are often organized by experienced professionals who prioritize the safety of the gorillas and the visitors. Many tour operators, such as African Gorilla Safaris, specialize in gorilla trekking, offering the chance to observe these animals in their natural setting while contributing to their conservation. Remember that gorillas do not sleep in the same place two consecutive nights. Also, a whoop is a group of gorillas that is usually made up of a single male and several females.
They are also primates, meaning they are distantly related to monkey and lemurs. Knowing that a group of gorillas is called a troop could very well be the winning answer for your team on trivia night.
The etymology of the collective nouns for gorillas is derived from the behavior of the animals.
