Like human beings in families, gorillas also keep in groups known as gorilla families. Below are some of the benefits gorillas gain from staying in groups:
Socialization/ togetherness– keeping in groups simplifies socialization among Gorillas. The gorillas easily interrupt with one another in a family. There is also creativity of senses of brotherhood and sisterhood. Its believed that young Gorillas learn a lot from the elders in preparation for future life. The gorilla groups consists of young Gorillas and elders/ parents.
Reproduction – The mature male forms ownership of mature female Gorillas. Its also believed that only mature male or silver back Gorilla have the mating right aiming and reproducing young ones. On the other hand this enlarges the size of the family. This can be explained by the great ratio of females to males in a gorilla family. It is among the reasons why mature silver backs are tasked with the quest of obtaining females from other groups to establish their own groups.
Security – the mature male Gorillas and or Silver backs are tasked with the purpose of protecting the entire family from any attack. In case of an attacked, the male gorillas in a group fight together to overpower the enemy. In the end, the young ones, females and the males them selves are protected.
The purpose of dominance – The need to express dominance could be among the benefits strong gorillas gain from Gorilla groups. It may also account for the formation of Gorilla families. The issue of dominance is very vital among gorilla families where it is usually expressed through competition over either a food source or females within or out the gorilla family. This usually leads to formation of need groups where the silver backs fail to agree at terms with the leading silver back.
Acquisition of skills – Living in groups helps male gorillas to learn skills needed to be successful leaders after the death of the mature silver back hence one of the leading reasons why gorillas form groups. This is through observing the leadership of the dominant silver back while it is still alive. This could be among the reasons for the formation of Bachelor groups. The need for family and survival after the loss of the leader silver back in my opinion may be one of the reasons why gorillas form groups. The notion of orphaning has for the longest time led to the dispersal of natal gorilla groups. It has also been one of the leading factors for the creation of new gorilla families as other male gorillas take over the females in the dispersed group.