Animal Photo - Silverback Gorilla

Today's photo is "Silverback Gorilla".

I took this photo at the Memphis Zoo. If you look at the gorilla's eyes, you can see he is staring​ intensely​ at me. I think this picture was able to catch an amazing moment.

@photocontests #animalphotography

Mountain Gorilla Facts

• Silverback gorillas, also known as mountain gorillas live in the mountains in protective parks in Africa.
• Mountain gorillas are wanderers, and their teritories span 10 to 15 square miles.
• Mountain gorillas build their sleeping nests daily since they travel so much.
• Adult male mountain gorillas are called silverback because of the silvery gray hair they grow on their back.
• An adult male silverback gorilla grows to about 6 feet tall and can weigh up to 400 lbs. Female mountain gorillas grow to about 5 feet tall and can weigh up to 250lbs.
• Silverback gorillas were not discovered by scientist until 1902.
• The mountain gorilla is mostly an herbivore; the majority of its diet consists of local plant life.
• Mountain gorillas are very social; they live in groups ranging from 5 to 30 individuals. One male silverback is always the leader of the group. A male silverback will control the group for about five years before another silverback will take over. There are also small groups of gorillas the consist of all males. These groups are made up of one adult male and many younger males.
• Male gorillas usually become mature and leave the group at around 11 years old. Females will mature and sometimes leave the group at around eight years old.
• The dominant male silverback is the center of attention during rest periods. The young gorillas will play with and around the silverback. If a mother dies or is killed, the silverback will take care of the abandoned young, even sharing his nest with them.
• The mountain gorilla is the most endangers species of gorilla and are listed as Criticly Endangered. It is estimated that only 880 silverback gorillas remain alive.

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Facts gathered from sources: Wikipedia and Wildrepublic

To learn more about mountain gorillas, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_gorilla

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Checkout my other great photos!

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Red Poppy
https://steemit.com/macrophotography/@tincanjunction/macro-photography-red-poppy

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Baird's Patchnose Snake
https://steemit.com/animalphotography/@tincanjunction/animal-photo-baird-s-patchnose-snake

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