Facts about Silverback Gorillas

Silverback gorillas are the largest primates on earth. After bonobos and chimpanzees, they are the closest relatives to humans, sharing about 98% of our DNA. Gorillas live in the great forests of East, Central, and Western Africa.

Species and Subspecies of Gorillas

Gorillas are divided into two main species: the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla. Western gorillas include the western lowland gorilla and the Cross River gorilla. Eastern gorillas include the mountain gorilla and the eastern lowland gorilla, also known as Grauer’s gorilla. Among them, the eastern lowland gorilla is the largest, followed by the mountain gorilla, while the Cross River gorilla is the smallest.

Today, there are over 300,000 western lowland gorillas, about 5,000 eastern lowland gorillas, around 1,000 mountain gorillas, and fewer than 400 Cross River gorillas. Sadly, all gorilla subspecies are considered critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to threats such as poaching, habitat destruction, and human diseases.

What Is a Silverback Gorilla?

The term “silverback” does not describe a species but a mature male gorilla. Silverbacks are recognized by the grayish-white hair that grows across their back and shoulders. Before reaching this stage, a young male is known as a blackback. Males become adults at around eight years old, when they often leave their birth group to live alone or join other males. At about twelve to thirteen years, they fully mature, develop the silver hair on their backs, and are then called silverbacks. A silverback is significantly larger than a female, with a bigger head and body, weighing up to 270 kilograms.

Sometimes, a lone silverback challenges the dominant leader of a group. If he fails, he may steal females to start his own family. However, in some cases—especially among mountain gorillas—males remain with their original group to support and protect the dominant leader.

Role of a Dominant Silverback

While several silverbacks may exist in one group, only one holds dominance. The dominant silverback leads with authority, deciding when the group eats, rests, or moves. He mates with the females once they reach maturity and protects the group from intruders and predators. A typical gorilla group contains five to thirty-five individuals, including females, juveniles, infants, and a few adult males. Females usually leave their birth group when they mature to prevent inbreeding.

Strength of a Silverback Gorilla

A fully grown silverback is nearly twice the weight of an average adult man and over nine times stronger. This strength comes from a higher ratio of muscle mass. While no fight between a silverback and a human has been recorded, it is clear that an angry silverback could easily overpower a person. Fortunately, silverbacks are not naturally aggressive unless provoked or threatened.

Are Silverback Gorillas Aggressive?

Silverbacks are generally calm and lead with charisma rather than violence. Aggression occurs only when they sense danger, face intruders, or need to assert dominance. Their response usually begins with standing tall and drumming their chest, followed by tearing plants and making loud sounds. If the threat persists, they charge on all fours in a mock attack. Finally, if necessary, they deliver a powerful blow or bite. Silverbacks are especially protective of infants and will defend their group to the death if needed.

Diet of Silverback Gorillas

Silverbacks are primarily herbivores, feeding on fruits, shoots, and leaves. They also eat termites, ants, and insects. Mountain gorillas mainly consume stems and leaves, along with fungi, flowers, and bark. Their diet changes with the seasons, depending on what vegetation is available. It is fascinating that such strong and massive animals survive almost entirely on plants.

Where to See Silverback Gorillas

Silverbacks live in the dense forests of Africa. Lowland gorillas inhabit forests and swamps along the Congo River Basin. Eastern lowland gorillas are found in areas such as Maiko National Park, Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Tayna Gorilla Reserve, the Itombwe Massif, and the Usala Forest. Western lowland gorillas live in Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of Congo. Mountain gorillas are found in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

How to See Silverback Gorillas in the Wild

To encounter silverbacks in their natural habitat, visitors join a gorilla trekking experience. This activity requires obtaining a gorilla trekking permit and preparing for additional costs such as transport, accommodation, and meals. The best destinations to see gorillas include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega National Parks in Congo. For seniors or travelers with mobility challenges, there are special trekking arrangements to make the experience more accessible.