00:00The last time humans and gorillas had a common family member was about 10 million years ago.
00:05Scientists found out that around 15% of gorilla genes are more similar to human genes than those of our closest relatives, the chimps.
00:14But all in all, our genes are pretty alike.
00:16Humans and chimps share more than 98% of genes, and with gorillas, it's over 96%.
00:22So we're all kind of like distant genetic cousins.
00:26Note that not all apes are gorillas.
00:29The terminology gets mixed up in daily language. It'll sound like a riddle, but here it goes.
00:34Nearly all monkeys have tails. Apes don't have tails.
00:38Since gorillas don't have tails, they are also classified as apes.
00:42Other apes include orangutans, chimpanzees, billy apes, and bonobos.
00:47Details are coming!
00:49Apes are a type of primate that includes animals like chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans.
00:55Monkeys are another type of primate, but they have tails.
00:59They come in various sizes and species, like macaques and capuchins.
01:04Primate is like an umbrella category that includes both apes and monkeys, along with lemurs, tarsiers, and a few other animals.
01:13Primates are known for their grasping hands, forward-facing eyes, and complex social behaviors.
01:19Where do the gorillas go again?
01:21They are the largest of the great apes and are known for their strength and living in the forests of Africa.
01:28King Kong and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes movies have some truth about how strong these animals can be.
01:34A fully grown male gorilla, often called a silverback, outmuscles 20 grown humans combined.
01:41To put this in perspective, a silverback gorilla can effortlessly lift 4,000 pounds on a bench press,
01:48whereas even the strongest human weightlifters can only manage about 885 pounds.
01:54These animals are typically 4 to 9 times stronger than humans on average.
01:59This remarkable strength isn't just for show, it plays a pivotal role in their social dynamics.
02:06Silverbacks earn their title as leaders and protectors of gorilla groups, which can range from 5 to 30 gorillas.
02:13They have robust, conical-shaped heads that house prominent crests.
02:17These features aid in supporting their jaw muscles.
02:20Can a human take on a gorilla in combat?
02:23Humans would stand no chance in a direct confrontation.
02:27Gorillas are the world's largest primates and some of the most powerful creatures on Earth.
02:32In fact, if you ever engaged in hand-to-hand combat with a silverback gorilla,
02:37your survival would depend solely on the gorilla's goodwill.
02:42Even their natural disputes among themselves, such as battles between silverbacks or with other gorillas,
02:47show the formidable power of these creatures.
02:51If you were to strike a fully-grown silverback gorilla with all you've got,
02:55you would likely end up fracturing your own arm in the process.
02:59Gorillas are equipped with thicker skin and skulls compared to humans,
03:03making it exceptionally challenging for us to inflict harm on these remarkable primates.
03:09For instance, mountain gorillas boast a dense coat designed to fend off harsh climates,
03:15but it also serves as protection against superficial injuries from hits or bites.
03:21Now let's talk about the force behind a gorilla's punch.
03:25It's so immense that it could shatter a human skull with a single hit.
03:29It has between 1,300 to 2,700 pounds of force.
03:34This is roughly equivalent to the weight of a small car resting on your head.
03:38Yeesh!
03:40To put this in context, gorillas, which average around 400 pounds in weight,
03:45possess muscle mass density approximately four times greater than that of the most muscular humans.
03:51If you were to extract a volume of muscle fiber from both a human and a gorilla,
03:56the gorilla's muscle fibers would outweigh the human's fourfold.
04:00Additionally, gorillas have bones that are on average three times thicker, heavier, and more calcified compared to humans.
04:08Now let's briefly explore the hypothetical scenario of a gorilla facing off against not a human, but a lion.
04:16While both gorillas and lions inhabit East Africa, they occupy vastly different terrains.
04:23Gorillas thrive in thick forests at altitudes ranging from 5,400 to 12,400 feet,
04:31while African lions primarily inhabit grasslands, specifically the savannah.
04:37Anyway, lions have evolved to hunt and defend their territories, sporting impressive manes.
04:43They probably aimed to attract females and intimidate other males.
04:47On the other hand, gorillas possess large and elongated canines,
04:51primarily intended for display and intimidation rather than hunting.
04:56Gorillas have one of the strongest bite forces in the animal kingdom,
05:00approximately 1,300 pounds per square inch, twice that of a lion.
05:06But it remains uncertain if this advantage would offset the lion's predatory arsenal of teeth and claws designed for hunting.
05:14We can't know for sure which one would win in the fight.
05:18Oh, and do you know that gorillas are aspiring musicians in their own right?
05:23They may not be composing symphonies or playing the piano,
05:26but they do have a knack for creating their own unique beats in the wild.
05:31They have a habit of using their chests as drums.
05:34This rhythmic chest beating isn't a sign of aggression or anger as you might initially assume.
05:40Instead, it's a form of communication and self-expression that reveals fascinating insights into gorilla social dynamics.
05:48Within their family groups, they establish complex hierarchies and maintain bonds.
05:53Chest beating is a way for gorilla individuals to assert their presence and dominance within the group.
05:59The intensity and duration of the beats can vary,
06:02and the louder and more pronounced the drumming, the more it signals the gorilla's confidence and authority.
06:09This behavior is even more endearing because young gorillas often try to mimic the chest beating of the grown-ups.
06:15Yeah, it sounds very much like how we learn to speak.
06:18So, this drumming behavior is both a learning experience and a way for the young ones to integrate into the group's social fabric.
06:26This might also mean Tarzan calls for Jane.
06:30Scientists have cracked another code of gorilla drumming.
06:34It turns out that the beat of these drumming gorillas changes with their size.
06:39Larger males are like the bass players of the jungle.
06:42They hit those lower audio frequencies.
06:44Why?
06:45Well, it might be because they've got some extra large air sacs near their vocal cords.
06:50This discovery hints that lady gorillas might be listening in on these drumming concerts to pick their perfect mates.
06:58Gorillas have been making tools from sticks and leaves to help with tasks like gathering food and testing the depth of water.
07:06This is a problem-solving ability.
07:08And who knows, maybe one day they'll start making some instruments to complement their chest drums for the sake of music.
07:15Gorillas have a fascinating repertoire of behaviors besides the chest beating.
07:20For example, they step aside when a dominant individual approaches, showing deference in the simplest way.
07:27Just as human emotions are revealed through expressions, gorillas, too, use their faces for communication.
07:34The play face is a classic example.
07:37The gorillas open their mouths and hang their lower lip.
07:40Here, we don't see their teeth.
07:43Younger members of this species are the ones most keen on making this face.
07:47Think of it as gorilla laughter.
07:50Gorillas occasionally flash their teeth in other ways, too.
07:54One example of this is the bared teeth look.
07:57This time, they don't laugh, they smile.
08:00If you see a gorilla with an open mouth showing both rows of teeth, know that it's smiling to you.
08:06In the ape world, it's a sign of submission.
08:09Additionally, male gorillas may reveal their teeth through yawns.
08:13It's a warning sign during moments of distress.
08:16Now, you can actually see that these animals are quite peaceful creatures.
08:21People observe them in their natural habitat during safaris or gorilla tours.
08:25It's a safe experience.
08:27People are provided with gorilla trekking guidelines.
08:30These primates are typically social creatures that live in close-knit family groups.
08:35Among gorilla species, the mountain gorilla, which hangs out in the forest of East Africa, is generally considered the least dangerous to humans.
08:43Due to tourism and research, these gorillas have been habituated to human presence to some extent.
08:49Welcome, human observers!
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