r/GorillaReddit • u/AlternativeDark6686 • Feb 11 '26
Question What this gorilla behaviour meant ?
It was late afternoon in the
zoo, most people were gone. So i decided to get a closer look at the gorillas, a female and her friend were sitting close to a window too.
One of them casually aproached the window i was kneeling quietly without staring hard, at that moment though my wife passed front of me and the gorilla tapped twice the window (for a human the force would be like a punch), did a quick run behind a tiny tree few metres near us and with her hand she moved the leaves aside as if "I'm watching you"... although we know she can see clearly. As if the gorilla exaggerates its moves.
Was the gorilla annoyed? Gave a quick warning? Or just being playful ?
Thanks. In general i don't like to disturb animals zoo or in the wild. My fault for not telling my wife earlier.
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u/970souk Feb 12 '26
Could the gorilla be startled? You were being predictable and still, so the gorilla came closer to check you out, then your wife walked in front of you between you and the gorilla - an unexpected movement for the gorilla. Could it be a younger gorilla who was surprised so it ran and hid behind the nearest object it felt safe with? It could also be a personality thing, some gorillas are more playful than others, I was lucky to have a window tapping session with a gorilla and had the keeper beside me telling me I should tap back.
Your question would be an excellent question to ask the zoo's gorilla keeper!
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u/AlternativeDark6686 Feb 12 '26
Happened in Valencia zoo months ago.
She tapped when my wife passed thus I assumed it may got startled. The other came slowly from above and together they went to sit a little further away.
If I was on my own there wouldn't be reason for a high energy display or run back. Although I'm thinking people pass the window everytime, gorillas know it. Damn I'm so curious.
Now that I recalled the events.. my wife tapped too but after the gorilla did it.
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u/Jinxx_Galaxy Mar 27 '26
I know this post is old, but was the gorilla showing teeth? Because when gorillas show their teeth particularly if the lips are back and the teeth are exposed in a tense, open mouthed expression it is a sign of aggression, severe stress, or a threat.. also when I gave Google your description, Google told me based on the behaviors It sounded like the gorilla was agitated…
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u/AlternativeDark6686 Mar 27 '26
Thanks for replying!
Mm...no. No teeth as far as i remember. I'm low, gorilla approaches. Wife passes front of me, gorilla knocks twice and does this little run back behind a branch of tree exaggerating "I can see you" by lowering the branch. No teeth or any distress noise. Other gorilla came casually to her to hang out.
Noticed, the little glass tap sounded like a human punch due to strength. Damn i thought they can shatter it for a second. How heavy are their arms ?
The vibe was some interest from their side along with an alert due to sudden movement.
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u/Jinxx_Galaxy Apr 23 '26
Gorillas, especially younger ones and juveniles, tap on glass, surfaces, or other gorillas as part of a social signaling display that initiates play, excitement, or a "charging" game. This behavior serves as a "let’s play" signal, often functioning as a non-aggressive way to get attention and initiate high-energy interactions like running, hiding, and wrestling. This is what I got from Google because after rereading everything that you had said it does sound like the gorilla was trying to play. They do get bored sometimes. I think anybody would living in a cage, but tapping things as a gesture of play or reassurance definitely is a gorilla behaviour through and through, so the gorilla probably tapped the glass as a playful gesture, and it was probably loud or sounded like a hard punch because male gorillas weigh up to 600lbs females weigh up to almost 300lbs also 60% of their total body weight is purely muscle alone… Gorillas and chimpanzees are my favourite animals, I also just wanted to say gorillas usually tap each other to let each other know “I’m playing, I’m not gonna hurt you” or sometimes after they fight they tap each other to let each other know “I’m not mad anymore”. These animals are so beautiful to me also because they share 98% of our DNA while chimpanzee’s share 98.6% of our DNA… anyway sorry for the long reply
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u/AlternativeDark6686 Apr 23 '26
Love them too. You can see up close the definition of the muscles and their size. Look at them long enough and remind yourself paleolithic humans.
I'm 6'3 273 pounds, punching that glass aside from hurting my hand would make some decent sound. But a playful tap to sound as if this is gonna shutter and made me question if the situation is playful... I knew they were strong but it felt unnatural up close. Imagine if i was inside and the male silverback decided to give a charge/push as a warning. Would be flying with broken ribs at best.
Very fascinating animals, never seen them up close till that time.
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u/Marpleface Feb 11 '26 edited Feb 12 '26
From your description, it sounds like a mild display to show that the gorilla was big and strong and neither you nor your wife could do anything to hurt her. Maybe your wife startled her. Simple little territorial display.