Editing Gorilla (section)

=== Reproduction and parenting ===
[[File:Gorillas in Uganda-3, by Fiver Löcker.jpg|thumb|right |Young gorilla riding on mother]]
Females mature at 10–12 years (earlier in captivity), and males at 11–13 years. A female's first ovulatory cycle occurs when she is six years of age, and is followed by a two-year period of adolescent infertility.{{sfn|Czekala|Robbins|2001|pp=317–339}} The estrous cycle lasts 30–33 days, with outward ovulation signs subtle compared to those of chimpanzees. The gestation period lasts 8.5 months. Female mountain gorillas first give birth at 10 years of age and have four-year interbirth intervals.{{sfn|Czekala|Robbins|2001|pp=317–339}} Males can be fertile before reaching adulthood. Gorillas mate year round.<ref name="Watts 1991">{{cite journal |last=Watts |first=D. P. |year=1991 |doi=10.1002/ajp.1350240307 |title=Mountain gorilla reproduction and sexual behavior |journal=American Journal of Primatology |volume=24 |issue=3–4 |pages=211–225 |pmid=31952383 |s2cid=85023681}}</ref>

Females will purse their lips and slowly approach a male while making eye contact. This serves to urge the male to mount her. If the male does not respond, then she will try to attract his attention by reaching towards him or slapping the ground.{{sfn|Sicotte|2001|pp=59–87}} In multiple-male groups, solicitation indicates female preference, but females can be forced to mate with multiple males.{{sfn|Sicotte|2001|pp=59–87}} Males incite copulation by approaching a female and displaying at her or touching her and giving a "train grunt".<ref name="Watts 1991"/> Recently, gorillas have been observed engaging in [[missionary position|face-to-face sex]], a trait once considered unique to humans and [[bonobo]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23148063 |title=Caught in the act! Gorillas mate face to face |first=T. C. |last=Nguyen |work=NBC News|date=13 February 2008 }}</ref>

[[File:Moka with baby gorilla at Pittsburgh Zoo 8, 2012-02-17.jpg|thumb|left|Mother gorilla with 10-day-old infant]]

Gorilla infants are vulnerable and dependent, thus mothers, their primary caregivers, are important to their survival.<ref name="Watts 1989"/> Male gorillas are not active in caring for the young, but they do play a role in socialising them to other youngsters.{{sfn|Stewart|2001|pp=183–213}} The silverback has a largely supportive relationship with the infants in his troop and shields them from aggression within the group.{{sfn|Stewart|2001|pp=183–213}} Infants remain in contact with their mothers for the first five months and mothers stay near the silverback for protection.{{sfn|Stewart|2001|pp=183–213}} Infants suck at least once per hour and sleep with their mothers in the same nest.<ref name="Stewart 1988">{{cite journal |last=Stewart |first=K. J. |year=1988 |title=Suckling and lactational anoestrus in wild gorillas (''Gorilla gorilla'') |journal=Journal of Reproduction and Fertility |pmid=3411555 |volume=83 |issue=2 |pages=627–634 |doi=10.1530/jrf.0.0830627 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

Infants begin to break contact with their mothers after five months, but only for a brief period each time. By 12 months old, infants move up to {{cvt|5|m|ft|sp=us |spell=in}} from their mothers. At around 18–21 months, the distance between mother and offspring increases and they regularly spend time away from each other.{{sfn|Fletcher|2001|pp=153–182}} In addition, nursing decreases to once every two hours.<ref name="Stewart 1988"/> Infants spend only half of their time with their mothers by 30 months. They enter their juvenile period at their third year, and this lasts until their sixth year. At this time, gorillas are weaned and they sleep in a separate nest from their mothers.{{sfn|Stewart|2001|pp=183–213}} After their offspring are weaned, females begin to ovulate and soon become pregnant again.{{sfn|Stewart|2001|pp=183–213}}<ref name="Stewart 1988"/> The presence of play partners, including the silverback, minimizes conflicts in weaning between mother and offspring.{{sfn|Fletcher|2001|pp=153–182}}