Discover everything you need to know about Silverback gorillas — from behavior and habitat to threats and how you can help protect these powerful leaders of the gorilla family.

Q. What is a silverback gorilla? A. A silverback is a mature adult male gorilla whose back hair turns silver as a mark of maturity, signaling leadership and dominance.

What is a silverback? Apart from their size, the most striking characteristic of gorilla males is the so-called silverback. The silvery appearance is caused by short, white hair which covers the males' …

Follow filmmaker Vianet Djenguet as he documents a grueling but vital mission to habituate a notoriously protective 500-pound silverback, in a last-ditch effort to save the critically endangered...

Apr 4, 2025 · Discover 28 fascinating facts about Silverback Gorillas, from their behavior and diet to their habitat and conservation status.

…of the back—hence the term silverback, which is commonly used to refer to mature males. This saddle is much more conspicuous in eastern gorillas (G. beringei), which are jet black, than in western …

Oct 23, 2021 · Silverback doesn’t refer to a particular species of gorillas but a mature male gorilla. Silverback gorillas are distinguished by a grayish white hairline around the back and shoulders.

Nov 11, 2025 · A Silverback is a name used for an adult male mountain gorilla that grows a grey patch of hair on his back as he gets older. Most Silverbacks are either leaders of a group, living alone, or …

Aug 19, 2025 · A silverback is a mature, adult male gorilla, distinguished by the silver-gray hair that develops on their backs as they age. These powerful primates lead their social groups, known as …

Male gorillas, often referred to as “silverbacks,” are famous for their sheer size, power, and dominance within their groups. They earn the term “silverback” due to the silver streak of fur that develops …