Discovering the Forgotten Phase of Gorilla Maturity and Brotherhood in the Forest
When most people think of gorillas, their minds immediately leap to the iconic silverback—the towering, broad-shouldered leader of a gorilla troop. But in the shadow of every silverback, there is often another figure walking with quieter purpose and watchful eyes. He is younger, powerful in his own right, but without the silver crown. This is the blackback gorilla—a fascinating and often overlooked phase in the life of a male gorilla. To understand blackbacks is to understand how silverbacks are made, and how nature shapes leaders in silence long before the silver sheen appears.

Who Is a Blackback Gorilla?

A blackback gorilla is a sexually mature male gorilla, typically between 8 to 12 years old, who has not yet developed the distinctive silver hair along the back that defines a silverback. The term “blackback” isn’t a separate subspecies or rank—it’s a life stage. Think of it as the equivalent of a teenage or young adult human male: full of strength, energy, and potential, but still learning, growing, and finding his place within his social world.

Blackbacks exist in both mountain gorilla populations (like those in Uganda and Rwanda) and lowland gorilla groups. Their size is substantial—they can weigh between 90 to 150 kilograms (200 to 330 pounds) and are already much larger than adult females. However, they are not yet as bulky or commanding as silverbacks, whose weight can reach 220 kilograms or more and whose shoulders carry years of muscle and experience.

Their Role Within the Troop

In a gorilla family group, blackbacks serve multiple purposes, though they’re not yet leaders. They often act as helpers and enforcers, supporting the dominant silverback in protecting the group, especially during moments of tension or external threat. While silverbacks make the final decisions—about movement, feeding, nesting, and conflict resolution—blackbacks may assist by staying alert, monitoring younger members, and practicing social skills they’ll need later in life.

This period is one of learning by observing. Blackbacks closely watch the behavior of the silverback: how he responds to danger, how he disciplines the group, how he interacts with females, and how he maintains peace. In many ways, blackbacks are silverbacks in training—gaining wisdom through presence, not authority.

What Happens When a Blackback Matures?

Around the age of 12 to 13, many blackbacks begin to develop the silvery-grey saddle of hair that earns them the title “silverback.” At this point, major life changes begin. If the group already has a dominant silverback (often their father), the maturing blackback may feel social pressure to leave. This is a natural process in gorilla society.

There are three common paths a maturing blackback may follow:

Leave the group and become solitary, wandering the forest for months or even years. During this time, he may gradually attract females and form his own troop.

Challenge the dominant silverback—though this is rare and risky. Such confrontations can lead to dramatic power shifts, especially if the younger male is strong and assertive.

Stay in the group as a subordinate silverback, often if he’s a relative or if the troop is large enough to support multiple males without conflict.

No matter the path, the transformation from blackback to silverback is both physical and social. It marks the point where responsibility shifts from observing to leading, from following to defending.

The Emotional Life of a Blackback

Blackbacks experience complex emotional and social development. They bond with siblings, play with infants, and begin to experiment with dominance behaviors—like mini chest beats or brief displays of strength. They also learn restraint, understanding where they stand in the hierarchy. You may witness a blackback testing boundaries with gentle defiance, only to quickly submit to a look or gesture from the silverback. This dance of power, patience, and self-control is how a future leader is carved.

In the forest, the blackback’s journey is not rushed. Every day is a lesson. Every interaction, a rehearsal. The forest is their classroom, and life itself is the curriculum.

Why Blackbacks Matter in Gorilla Conservation

Understanding the role of blackback gorillas is vital in conservation. They are the future of the species. In gorilla populations under stress—due to poaching, disease, or habitat loss—the death of silverbacks without younger males ready to rise can destabilize entire groups. Blackbacks represent generational continuity, the hope of survival passed from father to son, troop to troop.

In conservation programs across Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC, blackbacks are often monitored closely. Their growth, health, and behavior give insight into the social stability of the entire group. Protecting them means safeguarding the chain of leadership that keeps gorilla families whole.