Silverback gorillas are adult male gorillas with silver-colored hair on their backs. They are mature adults of over 12 years and have an average weight from 136 to 227 kg.
Gorillas are the biggest and strongest primates on earth. They are well-known for tearing down banana trees and bending the iron bars of their cages without much effort. A silverback is the dominant and strong member of a gorilla social group that leads the group and protects it from other animals.
Here, we gathered information about how strong a silverback gorilla is, why are silverback gorillas so strong, how strong is its punch, and how much would it bench press.
How Strong Is A Silverback Gorilla?
Silverback gorilla is a strong and powerful adult male gorilla with silver hair on its back. It can be challenging to determine its exact strength measurements, however, estimates show that silverbacks are strong enough to lift weights as much as about four times their body weight. An adult full-grown silverback gorilla can lift dead weights of over 815 kg (1,796 pounds) on bench press. They are able to lift weights 27 times of their body weights.
The strength of a silverback gorilla primarily comes from its powerful muscles, robust build, and large size. Their massive well-developed upper bodies allow them to perform works that require much strength; like breaking tree branches, bending thick vegetation, and moving heavy objects from one place to another. As a male, silverback is known to dominate in its social group. As the most dominant and powerful member of the group, it protects and leads the whole group.
By nature, silverback gorillas are not aggressive towards humans until they feel threatened. They are primarily herbivores and live peacefully with their social groups. When it comes to close encounters with humans, in the wild or in the zoo, it is important to respect their space and behave cautiously to avoid any action that they perceive as a threat.
Why Are Silverback Gorillas So Strong?
There are several factors that contribute to the strength of gorillas, including silverbacks. These factors include:
- Large Body Size And Weight
Gorillas have a large body size and stand up to 1.8 meters (6 feet) tall. Males weigh an average of 136 kg (300 pounds). Bigger body size and weight make them more powerful and strong.
- Robust Build
Gorillas have robust and sturdy bodies like human bodybuilders. Of all the primates on earth, the bodies of gorillas are well-built and muscular. That is why they are the strongest primates on earth.
- Long Arms
Gorillas have longer arms than their legs. The arm span of silverbacks stretches from 2.3 to 2.6 meters. Their arms are well-adapted for tearing and bending tree branches as well as to defend themselves. It is believed that the slam of a gorilla arm can deliver a force of 1,300 to 2,700 pounds; enough to shatter a human skull.
- Strong And Thick Bones
Gorillas have strong and thick bones. If we compare their bones with standard human bones, it will be about three times more calcified, thicker, and heavier.
- Dense Muscles
Gorillas have dense and heavy muscles. Their muscles are about four times more dense and heavy than human muscles. If we take 10 cubic centimeter volume of a gorilla and a human muscle fiber, the weight of the gorilla’s muscle fiber will be about four times heavier than the human’s.
How Strong Is A Silverback Gorilla Punch?
There is no specific measurement of the strength of a gorilla’s punch, however, it is obvious that it will be considerably strong. It is believed that the punch of an adult, full-grown gorilla may deliver a force between 1,300 to 2,700 pounds. It means a single punch of the silverback gorilla is strong enough to shatter a human skull.
How Much Would A Silverback Gorilla Bench Press?
On bench press, a silverback gorilla can lift 815 kg (1,796 lbs). However, these estimations are rough, and the actual strength of individual silverback gorillas can be different. Research shows that gorillas are strong enough to lift weights about 27 times heavier of their own body weight. It is notable that a well-trained human can lift only 401.5 kg (8,00 lbs) on bench press.
Can A Person Beat A Silverback Gorilla?
A person can not beat a silverback gorilla in a direct physical confrontation. Gorillas are the largest of all the world’s primates. Silverback gorillas are exceptionally stronger, weighing several hundred pounds, have a robust build, large canine teeth, and powerful muscles than humans. With 1,300 PSI, their bite force is among the strongest in the animal kingdom. Gorillas are able to exert tremendous force, and their strike and bite can cause severe harm to a person.
Gorillas are also wild animals, so their fight with humans would not be like a man-to-man fight. They have a much thicker skin and skull than humans, which will be very difficult for humans to harm. They also have longer arms that additionally contribute to their strength.
Gorillas are typically peaceful creatures. They are not aggressive towards humans and usually prefer to avoid confrontations. However, in case of any encounter, a gorilla would be at a significant advantage because of size and strength.
Is A Silverback Gorilla Stronger Than A Grizzly Bear?
It is not easy to compare the strength of a silverback gorilla with a grizzly bear because of the different physical adaptations, behaviors, and ecological roles of both animal species. Both species are strong and powerful in their own ways. However, the natural confrontation of both species is not possible in the wild because they inhabit different continents.
If we confront both hypothetically, the grizzly bear would take advantage because of its size and strength. A grizzly bear is big and more powerful than even the strongest silverback.
Could A Silverback Gorilla Beat A Lion?
It is difficult to predict whether a silverback gorilla beat a lion in a hypothetical one-on-one confrontation. Both animal species are powerful and have different behaviors and adaptations.
A silverback gorilla has powerful muscles and a robust build. Gorillas have a strong bite force of 1,300 PSI but they are herbivores and primarily eat plant matter. Silverback is the most strong and dominant member of the social groups of gorillas.
On the other hand, lions are the apex predators of their habitat and are well-known for their strength, speed, and hunting strategies. They have powerful jaws, strong claws, and are social animals that usually hunt in groups.
The answer to the question could a silverback gorilla beat a lion is not easy because both are strong and the odds of winning could go to both. However, there are no chances of natural encounter between a silverback gorilla and lion because of their different habitats and ecological roles. Gorillas found in thick forests while lions found in savannahs. In addition, both species usually avoid unnecessary confrontation with large animals.
What Is a Silverback Gorilla?
A silverback gorilla is an adult male gorilla, usually over 12 years old, with a distinctive patch of silver hair on its back. Silverbacks are the leaders of their family groups, protecting and guiding the troop.
How Strong Is a Silverback Gorilla Compared to Humans?
Silverbacks are the strongest primates on earth, estimated to be several times stronger than an average human. Their powerful arms, dense muscles, and robust bones allow them to tear branches, move heavy objects, and defend their group with ease.
Why Are Silverback Gorillas So Strong?
Their strength comes from a combination of large body size, muscular build, and long arms adapted for climbing and pulling. Thick bones and dense muscle fibers give them far more raw power than humans, even without formal training or exercises.
Are Silverback Gorillas Dangerous to Humans?
Gorillas are generally peaceful and avoid conflict. Silverbacks only show aggression if they feel threatened or need to protect their troop. Respecting their space in the wild or in captivity is the key to safe encounters.
