Adult male mountain gorillas are called Silverbacks because of the silver saddle of hair on their backs. Mountain gorillas have a stocky build, with a broad chest, long, muscular arms and wide feet and hands. ... The Silverback Gorilla is the most endangered species of Gorilla.

What is the difference between a silverback and a gorilla?

There are two species of gorillas: Gorilla gorilla, the lowland species, and Gorilla beringei, the mountain species. ... The term “silverback” doesn't refer to a species of gorilla. Older male gorillas are called silverbacks because they develop grayish white hair on their shoulders and backs as they age.

Is a silverback the biggest gorilla?

Wild male gorillas weigh 136 to 227 kg (300 to 500 lb), while adult females weigh 68–113 kg (150–250 lb). ... The tallest gorilla recorded was a 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) silverback with an arm span of 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in), a chest of 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in), and a weight of 219 kg (483 lb), shot in Alimbongo, northern Kivu in May 1938.