Gorillas might look fierce but they spend most of their day doing calm, peaceful things: eating fruit, leaves and stems, grooming each other, napping in the afternoon and playing – especially the youngsters. Gorilla families are close-knit, just like human families, with mothers caring carefully for their babies.
A silverback is the adult male leader of a gorilla group. His back turns silver-grey as he grows older, which is how he got the name. Silverbacks make decisions for the group – where to sleep, when to move on to find more food and how to keep the family safe. When he beats his chest, it is usually to show confidence, not to start a fight.
Gorillas communicate with each other through sounds, body language and facial expressions. Scientists who study them say gorillas show empathy – they seem to understand when another gorilla is upset and will sit close to comfort them. Young gorillas love to play, tumbling and chasing each other through the undergrowth.
Gabon's decision to protect large areas of rainforest has been very important for gorillas. Where forests are preserved, gorilla families thrive. When you protect the forest, you protect everything that lives inside it.