Did you know that only male gorillas can become silverback? Males weigh around 400 lbs. and grow up to 6 ft. tall.  Females weigh about half (200 lbs) and average 4 feet tall. Male gorillas have a crest (a ridge) on their skull,and have larger heads than females to anchor their large jaw muscles.

At the age of 8, they are considered “adults” but continue to grow and maintain black hair for 4 more years. It isn’t until the age of 13 that they become a “silverback.” The name describes exactly what they look like; the hair across their shoulders, down their back and to their hips becomes grayish or white in color.

Silverbacks are considered the leader. The rest of the troop comprises of adult females, infants and maybe a few younger adult males. The silverbacks create the troop’s routines, feeding/sleeping times, diet and even define their territory as for breeding rights with the adult females. They are not aggressive but can be with other adult males outside the troop.