How Do Gorillas Communicate?

Because gorillas live in dense rain forest where group members often cannot see each other they use mainly vocalisations for communication. In accordance with their role as group leader, silverback males are the ones to vocalise most frequently.
For newly born gorillas, vocalisations (whimpering, crying, screaming) are the most important means of attracting their mother's attention to their needs. As soon as the baby starts to move away from its mother, it starts to use grunting vocalisations. These sounds, generally classified as 'grunts' and 'barks' and their many variations, are the gorillas' most important vocalisations. They indicate the whereabouts of individual group members and can accompany social interactions. On average, adults make eight such vocalisations per hour, most often during travelling. Group members probably recognise each other from these sounds. You can listen to some gorilla sounds on a special page.   >

Screaming, ...

Crying baby
Photos: A. Meder