A silverback gorilla typically weighs between 136 to 227 kilograms (300 to 500 pounds) on average, with some sources citing up to 230 kg (507 lbs) or around 400 lbs as common weights. They stand about 1.5 to 1.8 meters (5 to 6 feet) tall. Silverbacks are the fully grown adult male gorillas characterized by silver hair on their backs. Their weight varies depending on the specific gorilla subspecies and whether they are wild or captive.
Details on Silverback Gorilla Weight
- Most wild adult male silverbacks weigh in the range of 136 to 227 kg (300 to 500 lbs).
- The heaviest recorded wild gorilla weighed 267 kg (589 lbs).
- Captive males can sometimes weigh more, up to around 310 kg (683 lbs).
- Typical height ranges from about 1.5 to 1.8 meters (5 to 6 feet) tall standing upright.
Strength and Physicality
- Silverbacks are immensely strong, far exceeding human strength by a factor of roughly 4 to 9 times.
- They can lift weights far surpassing human capability, such as 4,000 lbs in bench press comparisons.
- Their muscular build and size make them the largest and most powerful living primates.
These traits help establish silverbacks as dominant leaders and protectors of their gorilla troops in the wild.