At what approximate age does the silver saddle patch typically develop on a male Western lowland gorilla?
Answer
Around 12 years of age
The appearance of the silverback is a definitive visual marker tied to reaching full sexual maturity and dominance status within the social hierarchy. This transition in coat color is not immediate but develops over time. Specifically, the hair on the male's back and hips begins to change to a distinct silver or gray color as the animal matures, a process that is generally established when the male reaches approximately 12 years of age. Prior to this, younger males maintain the darker coat coloration seen in females.
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