Can you tell the age of a gorilla by the size of its chest?

Gorillas are fascinating primates and determining their age is an important task for researchers, conservationists, and veterinarians. While a gorilla's chest size does increase with age, it is not a reliable way to determine their exact age. In fact, there are several factors that can influence the size of a gorilla's chest including sex, nutrition, and overall health.

Instead of relying solely on chest size, experts look at a combination of physical and behavioral characteristics to estimate a gorilla's age. For example, a gorilla's teeth, specifically the wear and tear on their molars, can provide important information about their age. In addition, a gorilla's hair can change color as they age, with gray hair being more common in older gorillas.

Other indicators of a gorilla's age include their behavior and social status within their group. Older gorillas are typically more dominant and have a higher rank within the group, while younger gorillas are more likely to be subordinate and have a lower rank. Researchers can also use the birth dates of other members in the group to estimate the age of an individual gorilla.