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Maternal transport and infant motor development in a captive group of lowland gorillas

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Abstract

Infant development and mother-infant interactions were studied in three group-living lowland gorilla infants through the first 18 months of life. Ten modes of maternal transport of infants were identified. Of these, tripedal walk and back-ride were used by all mothers. The other forms of transport were more idiosyncratic. Almost all forms of maternal transport had ceased by 18 months. Infant motor development was found to progress rapidly through the first six months of life, with most motor behaviors exhibited by this age. Beyond this, more specialized (e.g., aggressive) motor patterns appeared.

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Author notes

  1. Michael P. Hoff

    Present address: Department of Psychology, Dalton Junior College, 30720, Dalton, Georgia, U.S.A.

  2. Ronald D. Nadler

    Present address: Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center, Emory University, 30322, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.

  3. Terry L. Maple

    Present address: School of Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center, Emory University, 30322, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.

    Michael P. Hoff

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  1. Michael P. Hoff
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  2. Ronald D. Nadler
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  3. Terry L. Maple
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Hoff, M.P., Nadler, R.D. & Maple, T.L. Maternal transport and infant motor development in a captive group of lowland gorillas. Primates 24, 77–85 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02381455

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02381455

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