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What Is a Silverback?
A silverback is an adult male gorilla — called that because of the distinctive patch of silver-gray hair that develops on his back around age 12. Silverbacks are MASSIVE — they can weigh up to 430 pounds and stand 6 feet tall! They are the leaders and protectors of their family group (called a troop). A troop usually has one silverback, several females, and their young. The silverback makes all the big decisions — where to eat, where to sleep, and when to move.