Silverback gorilla | Mature Male Mountain Gorillas

The term “silverback” refers to the adult male mountain gorillas, known for their impressive stature and commanding presence in the wild. As they reach maturity, the hair on the backs of Male Mountain Gorillas transforms into a striking grayish or silver hue. Spotting the silverback gorillas during your trek in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo is a thrilling experience, thanks to their distinctive coloration and impressive size. The most powerful and commanding silverback gorilla often assumes the role of guiding its gorilla group or family. It’s quite a sight to behold when the young silverbacks challenge the leader of the group in their quest for dominance. This captivating display is just one of the many thrilling experiences awaiting you on your gorilla trekking tour.

majestic silverback gorillaWhat prompts a silverback to charge?
Typically, the dormant silverback gorillas surge forward, thumping their chests and emitting powerful roars. This could be seen as a playful gesture, a way to assert dominance, or perhaps a signal to the group that something out of the ordinary is happening, marking the start of an engaging interaction. As the silverback gorillas engage in this behavior, the adult females, juveniles, and babies nearby instinctively gather, pressing their bellies to the ground while tucking their feet and hands beneath their bodies. This is done to demonstrate their deference to the silverback.

What is the size of a silverback gorilla? – Mass of a silverback gorilla
The silverback gorillas typically weigh between 135 to 195 kilograms (300 to 430 pounds) and stand between 1.5 to 1.8 meters in height (4 feet 11 inches to 5 feet 11 inches), boasting an impressive arm span that ranges from 2.3 to 2.6 meters.

How does the strength of a silverback gorilla measure up against that of a human or adult man?
An average silverback gorilla possesses a strength that can exceed that of an adult male by seven to 18 times. Consequently, an adult male is unlikely to wrestle and triumph over a wild silverback gorilla, which has an innate ability to engage in combat with other silverbacks in its quest for supremacy.