The Silver Back

Words and photo by F LoBuono

Male gorillas are awesome physical specimens. Weighing as much as 400 lbs., they are reported to be 4 to 5 times as powerful as an adult male human being. There is a story of a "circus gorilla" reported to be strong enough to squash a truck tire with his bare hands. In captivity they can live 60 years. They are gentle giants but when provoked they are fearsome adversaries. Even the largest predators shy away from a bout with one.

When they reach sexual maturity  (about 12, the same as humans) the hair on their backs turns a brilliant silver. All males from then on are known as a Silver Backs. But, only one can be the alpha. He is The Boss. Il Padrone. El Jeffe.

People ask me if I would ever consider coloring my grey hair. LOL LOL LOL.