Gorillas are most active in the morning. They wake up just after sunrise to search for food, and then they eat for several hours. During midday, adults usually nap while the young wrestle and play games that to observers resemble games played by human children such as Follow the Leader and King of the Hill. After their midday nap they search for food again. Before dusk each gorilla makes its own nest bed on the ground.
Some males become solitary after they have reached adulthood.
Nevertheless, a new troop can be easily formed when one or more non-related females join a lone male. The western lowland gorilla is characterized as a quiet, peaceful, and a very non- aggressive animal. They never attack unless provoked. However, once provoked, an adult male protecting his group will attempt to intimidate his aggressor by standing on his legs and slapping its chest with cupped hands, while roaring and screaming. If this elaborate display is unsuccessful, and the intruder persists, the male will the rear his head back violently several times.