Silverback
Gorillas are the world’s largest primates. Gorillas, after bonobos and chimps,
are the closest relatives to humans. Gorillas live in the huge forests of East,
Central, and Western Africa.
Gorillas are divided into two
species: the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla.
The western gorilla is
classified into two subspecies:
The
western lowland gorilla and the Cross River gorilla. Mountain gorillas and
Eastern Lowland gorillas (also known as Grauers gorillas) are two species of
eastern gorilla. The largest gorilla subspecies is the Eastern Lowland gorilla,
followed by the mountain gorilla. The Cross River gorilla is the smallest in
the group.
There are currently over 300,000 Western
lowland gorillas, 5000 eastern lowland gorillas, 1,000 mountain gorillas, and
fewer than 400 Cross River gorillas.
The International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) considers all gorilla subspecies highly
endangered. This is because their numbers have decreased significantly during
the last century. Human diseases, habitat damage, and poaching for meat pose
the greatest threat to wild gorilla survival.
Silverback Gorilla: Size, Height, and Lifespan
Gorillas
live in groups or families lead by Silverbacks. The term “silverback”
refers to an adult male gorilla rather than a particular species. Silverback
gorillas are recognized by a grayish white hairline on their backs and
shoulders.
A
male gorilla that is too old to be a juvenile, yet too young to be A Silverback
The gorillasilverback is known as a blackback. A silverback is significantly
larger than a female. A silverback gorilla has a larger head and body than a
female, and it can weigh up to 270 kilograms. A male gorilla matures into an
adult at the age of roughly eight years.
Most people quit the group at
this point to go off on their own or join other males. At this point, they are
still known as Blackbacks.They do not become silverbacks until they are
completely matured (around the ages of 12 and 13).
This is also the time when the
hair on their back and shoulders turns pale or greyish in color. A grown and
lone blackback or silverback will reside near a specific As soon as the
dominant silverback reaches sufficient strength, the group will strive to dethrone
him. If he is unable to dethrone a leader of a certain gorilla family, he will
try to take females from that group and start his own.
It is worth noting that some
people never leave their original group after attaining maturity. They will
remain loyal to the dominant silverback and help protect the group from
outsiders. This arrangement is more prevalent among mountain gorillas but
uncommon in Western lowland gorillas.
Where can I view silverback
gorillas?
While
numerous silverback gorillas might be seen in a group, only one is dominant.
The
dominating silverback is the group’s leader and holds ultimate control. He
dictates what it is be done, and when. He decides when to eat and rest, and he
is allowed to mate with all of the females in the group. When a gorilla reaches
maturity, the female is frequently the one to initiate mating.
The
dominant silverback leads a group of 5 to 35 individuals.
A gorilla group often includes
multiple females, adolescents/juveniles, newborns, and some adult males. Females
leave the group at maturity to avoid mating with the father.
What is the strength of a
silverback gorilla?
A
fully developed silverback gorilla weighs approximately twice that of an adult
man. They are more than nine times stronger than an adult person. Their body
weight and tremendous strength are the result of a higher muscle mass ratio.
While
no battle has been documented between an adult male and a silverback gorilla,
it is clear who will win. An enraged silverback would beat the man to a pulp.
Silverback gorillas are not
aggressive unless threatened.
Are the silverback gorillas
aggressive?
The
dominant silverback gorilla leads via charisma and example. He is always calm
and rarely uses force. A silverback gorilla will only become aggressive if it
perceives a threat, intruders, or wishes to demonstrate authority. Intruders
can be males from other groups, recalcitrant members of his group, silverback
gorilla facts, animals like as leopards, or humans visiting an unhabituated
group.
When a silverback gorilla sees
a threat or silverback from another group, he will first attempt to deter the
intruder. He accomplishes this by standing up and drumming his chest. If the
previous effort fails, he will tear up and throw plants at the invader,
generating a deafening sound. The silverback will then attempt a fake attack
with all four legs.
If none of this works and the
threat or intruder has not yet received the message, the silverback will attack
directly and deliver a blow with its hands or teeth. A silverback gorilla will
defend his tribe, particularly infants, to the death. It is one among the
reasons why poachers and pet merchants seek to catch an infant silverback.
What does a silverback gorilla
eat?
Silverback
gorilla’s heightSilverback gorillas generally eat Mostly plants. This can
include fruits, branches, and leaves. They also enjoy termites, ants, and some
insects. Mountain gorillas and silverbacks have slightly distinct diets. It consists
primarily of stems and leaves.
They
may also consume fungus, flowers, and bark. The season (rainy or dry) dictates
what type of food is available. Mountain gorillas enjoy a more abundant
existence than other gorilla subspecies because they have access to a wider
range of vegetation. Isn’t it strange that such enormous and strong creatures
do not eat meat?
Where do silverback gorillas
live?
Silverback gorillas live in the deep forests
of East, Central, and Western Africa. Lowland gorillas can be found in forests
and wetlands along the Congo River Basin. Mountain gorillas are mostly found in
the greater Virunga conservation region and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.In
general, if you want to view wild eastern lowland gorillas, head to Maiko
National Park, Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Tayna Gorilla Reserve, Itombwe
Massif, and Usala Forest.
Western
lowland gorillas are more common, living in Gabon, the Democratic Republic of
the Congo, Angola, the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and
the Republic of Congo. Mountain gorillas exist in Uganda’s Mgahinga National
Park, Bwindi National Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, and Congo’s
Virunga National Park.
How can I view silverback
gorillas in Africa?
Facts
about Silverback GorillasTo view silverback gorillas in the wild; you must be
prepared Visit Africa. Naleyo tour and travels company provides wonderful tours
to see Silverback gorillas. You must be prepared to obtain a gorilla permit as
well as budget for additional expenses associated with gorilla trekking,
including as transportation, lodging, and meals.
If you are a senior, you may be interested in
reading about gorilla trekking for the elderly. The finest sites to watch
gorillas include Bwindi National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park,
Volcanoes National Park, Virunga National Park, and Kahuzi-Biega National Park.