Gorillas

Gorillas communicate in several ways. They often mix sounds with actions.
When gorillas beat their chest with their hands, it is a warning signal to others to show they are "in charge".

Researchers have identified 25 different sounds made by gorillas and their meaning but there are many more that we don’t understand yet. They make chirps, grunts, roars, growls, and even hooting like an owl. They can be funny too, laughing and sticking their tongue out.

Gorillas use their communication to find food, to offer help, to express distress, for developing social relationships...

Certain members can develop forms of slang as we do in our social groups. This means that their communications are often learned and not just product of the use of the instinct.

Gorillas can also been taught how to communicate by humans. One successful story is that of KoKo: She was taught how to use sign language.

They hear and use noises that humans can’t even hear and that is how they are usually alerted to dangers. They also rely on their sense of smell.

Young gorillas have communications which are similar to those of human babies including whining and crying. Their mothers can find out what they need easily.

There are 9 steps to the gorilla communication ritual: First they will offer hooting sounds that get faster, feed in a methodical way, jump up and down, throw food, beat their chest with both hands, kick with their legs, run sideways, tear at vegetation out there, and end with their palms hitting the ground and more hooting sounds.

Researchers continue decoding their language, it isn’t an easy task. It is like trying to take a completely foreign language and learning it on your own. As many of the different sounds seem to have several meanings, the task is even more difficult...

Find more in: http://gorillas-world.com/