Then Shaquille O’Neal arrives.
Suddenly, the animal sees a human whose height exceeds that of a typical adult male gorilla standing upright and whose body mass is in roughly the same broad range as a large silverback.
Add O’Neal’s naturally broad shoulders and imposing frame, and it becomes easier to understand why an individual gorilla might pay more attention to him.
That possibility is much more scientifically reasonable than saying the gorilla literally thinks, “Here comes another gorilla.”
The “He Wants Shaq’s Girls” Explanation
The funniest part of Magill’s explanation involved the gorilla’s social group.
Magill jokingly suggested that the male could look at O’Neal and react as though this enormous newcomer might threaten his position around the females.
It is a fantastic line, and it helped make the story viral.
But it is worth separating humor from scientific certainty.
We cannot know that a gorilla looking at Shaq is literally thinking that Shaq intends to “take his girls.” Human beings have a natural tendency to anthropomorphize animals—to describe their thoughts and motivations using human language.
What scientists can observe is behavior.
They can see posture changes.
They can record vocalizations.
They can measure proximity.
They can observe displays.
They can examine how an animal responds to different individuals or situations.
Interpreting the animal’s exact internal thought process is much more difficult.
So Magill’s colorful explanation should be understood as a humorous way of describing territorial or social behavior, rather than a literal translation of what is going through a gorilla’s mind.
The underlying behavioral concept, however, is real.
Adult male gorillas can display toward perceived threats, and social competition among males is an important part of gorilla behavior.
Gorillas Are Not the Monsters Movies Made Them Out to Be
There is another important distinction.
Stories about enormous silverbacks charging glass can reinforce the stereotype that gorillas are naturally violent animals.
That picture is misleading.
Despite their extraordinary strength and intimidating appearance, gorillas are generally peaceful animals.
The Smithsonian describes western lowland gorillas as typically quiet and nonaggressive. Their daily lives revolve around activities such as feeding, resting, socializing, caring for offspring and moving through their environment.
At the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, for example, keepers describe gorillas spending their days foraging, interacting with enrichment, resting and voluntarily participating in husbandry training.
They have complex social relationships.
Young gorillas play.
Adults form bonds.
Mothers care extensively for their offspring.
Silverbacks can interact patiently with younger members of the group.
Even their dramatic threat displays should not automatically be interpreted as uncontrolled aggression.
A display can function as communication.
The objective may be to warn rather than attack.
Source: Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, “A Day in the Life of a Gorilla at Smithsonian’s National Zoo” and “Western Lowland Gorilla.”
An Animal With a Complex Social Life
Gorilla society is much richer than the stereotype of one giant male constantly fighting challengers.