Gorilla’s are truly fascinating creatures. While both beautiful and majestic they are a very powerful animal as well. Gorillas have a male dominated social structure, as in the male protects the group. The males also after they mature grow a patch of grey hair on their backs, thus they’re called Silverback Gorillas. The female gorilla has a gestation period of around 8.5 months, while the estrous cycle lasts only 30-33 days. Unlike females, males can be fertile before reaching adulthood. Gorillas also mate year round. Gorilla groups or Troops are usually composed of one male, typically a Silverback, and the rest would be females and their offspring. A silverback is usually more than 12 years of age, as that is when they typically reach maturity.
