By Josie July 25th, 2023
The scene unfolds at a Zoo in Taiwan, where the silverback gorilla, D’jeeco, intervenes in a fight between two of his mates.
The silverback’s intervention is not just about strength, but also about a deep understanding of the social fabric of their troop.
At the apex of the gorilla troop’s hierarchy is the dominant male, he makes decisions about where the troop travels, feeds, and sleeps.
Adult females, usually numbering a few in a troop, are primarily responsible for the care and socialization of the young.
Younger adult males, Blackbacks, sit below the Silverback in the hierarchy are males who have matured from adolescence.
At the base of the hierarchy are the juveniles. Their primary role is to learn and develop through play and exploration.
Look for the distinctive swath of silver hair across their back and hips, which gives them their name. This develops around the age of 12.
Silverbacks are the largest gorillas in the troop, often weighing between 300 to 400 pounds and standing up to 5.6 feet tall.