What is a silverback gorilla? A silverback gorilla is an aggressive male gorilla that develops into a silverback at the age of 14 years old.
It is characterized by a flux of silver hair on its back and a noticeable sense of maturity that earns it respect and fame as it performs activities like charging, chest beating, whooping, tree slapping, and in rare circumstances, physical duels.
A typical and original silverback carries a weight of over 430 pounds, which is 195 kg, and stands at a firm posture of about 5 feet, which is 1.5 m tall.
A silverback gorilla is famed for its great strength; little wonder it can lift over 1763 pounds, which is an average of about 800 kg of dead weight.
An approximation of a weight which is almost twice as much as an expert weight lifter can manage.
Its great energy and immense strength are used to fell trees, making it easier to obtain desired fruits.
Relationship between the silverback and female gorilla
The female silver maintains its flexibility among the silverbacks in a family, and migration among families is allowed, which improves chances of reproduction as well as avoiding inbreeding.
The female silverback also endeavors to keep her close bond with the dominant silverback as a protective mechanism to avoid harassment from other males and threats and hostility from non-related females encountered through migration, even though it’s not in its original family.
Relationship between the black backs and subordinate silverbacks
A black-back is a sexually mature male gorilla, even though it lacks the physical strength to challenge for dominance.
Therefore, as soon as a male develops into a silverback, it decides to form a coalition with the dominant silverback or challenge for control of the troop.
Solitary silverbacks
Solitary silverbacks are those that move from one family to another in search of females with which they can possibly mate and reproduce or go to the extent of forming a troop.
Little wonder keen attention is often given to them by game rangers, and they are, in most cases, seen roaming among females in search of available opportunities.
This desperate situation can even keep them solitary in thought that one time their desire can be fulfilled. The longest solitary silverback is known as karateka in the Virunga since 2001.
A dominant silverback
A dominant silverback bears all the qualifiers of all silverbacks, although it stands out as the most outstanding and capable leader in the group, little wonder the different gorilla families are named after them.
General statistics of the silverbacks and blackbacks:
- Number of silverbacks: 32
- Number of solitary silverbacks: 7
- Age of the youngest silverback: 15 years
- Age of the oldest silverback: 42 years
- Number of blackbacks: 6
Some examples of the dominant silverbacks:
- Pablo
- Amakoro
- Igisha
- Kwitonda
- Guhonda
- Sabyinyo
- Noheli
- Agashya, etc.
In conclusion, silverbacks are great and interesting gorillas, and tourists have a lot to explore about them.
