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Species: Gorilla

Use: Reproductive Behavior

Authors: D. Fossey

Methods: Ad lib

Publications/Presentations: D.Fossey (1982). Reproduction among free-living mountain gorillas. American Journal of Primatology Supplement, 1, 97:104.

Behaviors

Copulation: Nearly all solicited by females, most commonly dorsoventral. Male sat upright or leaned forward bipedally and held female around waist. Female squatted on lap or bent forward or flexed elbows with rump accessible. Brief adjustment occurred first. Held position from 5 to 20 minutes. Accompanied by vocalizations, primarily by male. Female often compressed lips; male pursed-lips.

Copulation vocalization: Panting and soft hoots.

Solicitation by female: Sometimes included extending hands fleetingly to touch maleÕs body before retreating; often included glance over shoulder.

Glance over shoulder: To male during solicitation: Òcome hither lookÓ.

Sexual play

Pseudosexual mounting

Interference w/copulation

Genital touching