silverback gorilla

A silverback gorilla is a fully mature adult male gorilla distinguished by a characteristic grayish or silver hair patch across its back and shoulders. Silverbacks are much larger and stronger than females, weighing up to 270 kilograms (about 600 pounds) and standing up to around 1.8 meters (6 feet) tall. They become silverbacks at about 12 to 13 years of age when the silver hair develops, marking their maturity. They are leaders of gorilla groups (or troops), responsible for protecting, leading, and making decisions for their family units, which range from 5 to 35 individuals. Silverbacks are incredibly strong, estimated to be over 9 times stronger than an adult male human, using their strength primarily for defense and leadership rather than aggression. Their diet mainly consists of plants, leaves, fruits, shoots, and occasionally insects like ants and termites. The dominant silverback controls mating rights within the group and ensures the safety and cohesion of the unit. Silverbacks can live up to 35-40 years in the wild. Mountain gorillas, one of the subspecies, often found in regions like Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo, live in groups led by one dominant silverback and may have subordinate males called blackbacks who are younger and not yet fully mature silverbacks. In summary, silverbacks are the mature male gorillas with the signature silver hair on their backs, known for their leadership, strength, and critical role in gorilla social structure and protection of their family groups.