Gorilla at Omaha Zoo Surprises Visitors with a Lewd Gesture

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Humans and gorillas share around 98% of their genetic makeup. So it’s not surprising they exhibit human-like behaviors, including what some humans consider insulting. Visitors to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium were surprised and amused to get the one-finger salute from one of the exhibit’s gorillas. In the video above, the gorilla walks up to the glass and looks directly at the cameras. After a few seconds, the gorilla reaches down between its legs and then lifts its arm to show an upraised middle finger.

This is not the only time gorillas have appeared to flip people off. Gorillas at the Colorado Zoo and the Bristol Zoo in the U.K. have also given visitors the bird. However, are they really making rude gestures toward people, or does the raised middle finger mean something else to gorillas? Continue reading to find out more about how gorillas communicate their emotions.

Gentle Giants of the Forest

Gorillas in the wild live in the tropical forests of equatorial Africa. They belong to the family Hominidae, also referred to as the great apes. They belong to two species, Western and Eastern, that are split into two subspecies. These are the Western lowland and Cross River gorillas and the Eastern lowland and Mountain gorillas, respectively. Western lowland gorillas are the most common species in zoos, including Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.

The average male gorilla stands up to 5.5 feet tall and can weigh between 300 and 430 pounds. The females are much smaller, with a maximum height of around 4.5 feet and a weight of 200 pounds. They are very social and typically live in family groups of around 5-10. The group is led by a dominant male, or silverback, identifiable by the silvery-grey hair across its otherwise black back. Western lowland gorillas are usually not aggressive unless threatened. However, like most animals, they can become aggressive when threatened.

Gorilla Communication

Scientists have found that facial expressions and vocalizations are the primary way primates communicate emotion. When a gorilla appears to be smiling with its teeth bared, this can be either a sign of conciliation or a threat, depending on the context. Research indicates gorillas make at least 22 sounds, each with a seemingly different meaning. These sounds include barks, hoots, screams, chuckles, grunts, and roars. Gorillas even hum and sing when they find food they particularly like.

Gorillas also use body language, gestures, and scent. When challenged, males will stand upright, pound their chests, and aggressively advance on their rivals. Gorillas show submission by crouching and approaching from the side. Gorillas purposefully make gestures at specific individuals, although the intended meanings are limited. Additionally, silverbacks have the ability to broadcast, or even turn off, their scents to display dominance or signal other group members.

Are Gorillas Emotionally Intelligent?

Gorillas are very intelligent, with the ability to use tools, dismantle snares, and even learn a type of sign language. They express a multitude of emotions, including anger, joy, and sadness. Scientists have not only discovered that they laugh when playing, but case studies suggest they even grieve their dead.

However, self-conscious emotions, like guilt or shame, require an awareness of how their behavior is viewed by others. Also, while some facial expressions are associated with specific behavioral outcomes, scientists question the gorillas’ abilities to attribute emotions to the individuals making these expressions.

What Did the Gorilla’s Gesture Really Mean?

Since gorillas don’t have cultural understanding in the way humans do, they aren’t actually flipping people off. They can mimic the gesture, but would not ascribe human meaning to it. If you look closely at the video, the gorilla reaches down between his legs, and then brings his middle finger up to his nose. Gorillas have special scent glands in their genital area. So in this instance, a likelier explanation is the gorilla was gathering information about his scent to communicate with other gorillas, not humans.