Their reproductive lives are similar to humans

One of the most interesting facts about gorillas is their reproductive lives are similar to humans. Female gorillas typically have periods every 30 days, and like humans, they can become pregnant at any time of the year (most other animals have less frequent, seasonal estrus cycles). By the time they are seven or eight, females are sexually mature. However, infant gorillas grow roughly twice as quickly as young humans, and they can get pregnant at around age 10. Even later, the men reach sexual maturity. A woman typically only gives birth to one child every four to six years when she becomes pregnant. A typical gorilla's lifetime yields three to four offspring at most.

Gorillas have an 8.5-month gestation period, and their young are just like human infants: extremely delicate. For the first five months of their lives, gorilla infants remain physically close to their moms, who continue to milk them for many years. Young gorillas aren't weaned until age 3 or later and don't start spending a lot of time apart from their mothers until a year and a half after birth. Until they are old enough to cling to their mothers' backs, babies will be carried on the mother's chest. When the adults are taking naps, their young, who are frequently highly lively, will run around and play. They primarily eat while the adults are awake.