Social Organization of Orangutans, Gorillas, and Common Chimpanzees - Essay Example

Social Organization of Orangutans, Gorillas, and Common Chimpanzees Most of the animal kingdom have in one way or the other an organized and coherent social structure through which they manage their affairs. Considering that social organization involves a complex structure of association, it must also be noted that most of the social organization differs from one animal to the next and there are similarities depending on the class of the animals. Social organization encompasses sociological relations that are construed to be the designed pattern of relationship that exist amongst and between the groups and the individuals making the group.

There are several aspects that are looked for in defining social organization, they include; division of labor, size, spatiotemporal cohesion, sexual composition, leadership, and the existing structure (Wich, 2009). With this background information, this paper endeavors to examine the social organization of the Orangutans, Gorillas, and Common Chimpanzees with special reference to the similarities that exist in their organizations as well as the contrasts. Similarities in social organization of Orangutans, Gorillas, and Common Chimpanzees Groups and Communities Apart from orangutan that has fragmented and leads a lonely life, the other two, the Chimpanzees and the Gorilla have a well-structured groups and communities that are headed by a leaders.

For instance, the Chimpanzees do have a group membership that consists of about 10 chimps and a community at large that consist of about 100 chimps. When there is availability of food such as fruits in certain sides of the range, one group will have to invite members of other groups so that they can have time to be together in invading the available food. With regard to Gorilla, they also live in groups referred to as troops and all members of the group will have to show allegiance to one leader of the groups (Harcourt & Stewart, 2007).

Family Bonds A strong family bond is existing between these animals, and in most cases, they recognizes their parent as show dignity to them. The family bond is much pronounced in the females and their mothers and it is life lasting and is only interpreted by death of the either of them. In as much as there is a strong family bond, the animals have the freedom to switch groups due to several factors amongst them is affection. In normal occasion members of a family or a group will ensure that they are well groomed, for example, they take hours upon hours trying to remove insects from one another and this is done in turns (Wich, 2009).

Dominance Hierarchies and Mating There is a well-structured way of life that is exhibited by these animals, in all the times; there is the male at the top through which information flows to the rest of the group. To be the head of a group is not just a matter of a chance, age as well as other factors like physical fitness and personality traits are the deciding factors. The group faith fully relies upon the leader for any communication or activity, the male leader usually patrol within their territorial boundary to ensure safety of the members.

During mating, in both cases, the male that initiates the process; most of the females are submissive and will not object the process of mating, this level of cooperation is seen a cross the three animals (Power, 2005). In giving care to the young ones, that responsibility of the females passionately takes care of the young ones, in case of death of the young ones or members of the group, there is palpable agony and pain in all members the group. Warfare and Violence The entire there categories of the animals shows considerable refrain to war and violence amongst themselves and even to other animals.

For Orangutans, it is documented that they do opt to disperse rather than involving in a physical confrontation. The Gorilla will be using to escape fight while the chimpanzees solve them through threats rather than physical fights (Power, 2005). Notwithstanding, they are also known to be violent when the situation demands that and a window out of the situation is not an option. Contrast in the Social Organization Even though there are several similarities in the social structure of these animals, there are also some of the salient differences that exist in there social organization.

For instance, the Orangutans do have a social learning session in which the young ones are taught how to groom and live with the rest, they also do not live in their nest for more than two nights and have a high degree of itinerary to ne places. With respect to Orangutans, the females provides care and ensures that the protection is accorder to the young ones. Unlike chimpanzees that can associate in large groups or the Orangutans that are lone rangers, Gorillas hardly passes a group of 12 members (Harcourt & Stewart, 2007).

Two hierarchies exist in the Gorillas, that for the male and the female though that of the females in not well pronounced; this is a unique order that is not seen in any of the two; Orangutans and the Chimpanzees. References Harcourt, A. H., & Stewart, K. J. (2007). Gorilla society conflict, compromise, and cooperation between the sexes. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Power, M. (2005). The egalitarians, human and chimpanzee: an anthropological view of social organization. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Wich, S. A. (2009). Orangutans geographic variation in behavioral ecology and conservation.

Oxford: Oxford University Press.