Gorillas have multiple ways to communicate. It could be verbal and non-verbal. It could be a warning and challenge from an elder male to a younger male to back off and not challenge. Otherwise, there would a fight! Gorillas’ beating or thumping their chests is a sign of victory; when they’ve beaten an opponent or another male in a fight, it is a sign of dominance. It is not just a sign of control and aggression; it is also how the eldest and most powerful male of the group informs the rest of the family or pack to follow it.
Why do gorillas thump their chests?
