A silverback is an adult male gorilla, typically more than 12 years of age and named for the distinctive patch of silver hair on his back. He has large canine teeth that come with maturity. Silverbacks are the strong, dominant troop leaders.
Each typically leads a troop and is in the center of the troop's attention, making all the decisions, mediating conflicts, determining the movements of the group, leading the others to feeding sites and taking responsibility for the safety and well-being of the troop.

Location: Rwanda

Photographer © Karin Van Couwenberg