Silverback Gorilla vs. Mountain Lion: Which Powerful Animal Wins in a Fight?

Written by Crystal
Updated: April 28, 2023
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What would happen during a silverback gorilla vs. mountain lion battle?

Mountain lions can take down large prey like big horn sheep and elk. But could they stand a chance against nature’s largest primate?

Follow along as we compare the key factors determining the champion. Will the gorilla’s larger size and incredible strength make this fight an easy win? Or will the wildcat’s speed and agility prove superior? Read on to discover who will emerge victorious when a silverback gorilla and mountain lion duke it out.

Silverback Gorilla vs. Mountain Lion

Battle FactorsSilverback GorillaMountain Lion
Size5 feet tall
9-foot arm span
430 pounds
3 feet tall
7 feet long
220 pounds
Speed25 mph50 mph
Attack abilitiesBiteforce 1300 PSI
Punch force 2,700 pounds
Can lift over 1,700 pounds
Sharp canines
Large arm muscles
Bite force 400 PSI
Ambush predator
Attacks from behind
Breaks prey’s neck
Sharp retractable claws
Razor sharp canines
Defense abilitiesIntimidates
Stands upright
Pounds chest
Climbs trees
Flees or fights
Climbs trees
IntelligenceHighly intelligentHighly intelligent
Survival skillsOpposable thumbs
Knuckle walking
Tree climbing
Group travel
Tool use
Mainly eats plants
Excellent vision
Tree climbing
Prey stalking
Only eats meat

Competitor #1: Silverback Gorilla

Silverbacks are nine times stronger than humans, thanks to their dense muscle mass.

©Jurgen Vogt/Shutterstock.com

Our first competitor is the silverback gorilla, one of the most powerful living primates. These fantastic animals are masters of their environment and can live over 40 years in the wild.

A fully-grown silverback usually weighs twice as much as a fully-grown human man. They’re also nine times stronger than humans, thanks to their dense muscle mass. But even though they look intimidating, these large animals aren’t naturally aggressive.

Silverback gorillas only attack if they perceive a threat or need to assert their dominance. If the first competitor thinks the mountain lion is challenging its social status, it won’t think twice about beating the wildcat to a pulp.

Competitor #2: Mountain Lion

Mountain lion standing on thick tree branch

As ambush predators, mountain lions are known to deliver a spine-snapping bite from behind.

©Geoffrey Kuchera/Shutterstock.com

Now for our second competitor: the agile mountain lion. These flexible cats can jump 15 feet high and cover 40 feet in distance. Mountain lions are at the top of their food chain and can live up to 10 years in the wild and 21 years in captivity.

Compared to other big cat species, like lions and tigers, mountain lions don’t have the strongest bite force. However, their powerful jaw muscles have enough strength to drive their teeth into a skull. As ambush predators, mountain lions are known to deliver a spine-snapping bite from behind. If this wildcat pounced on the unsuspecting silverback gorilla, it could gain an advantage.

Animal Showdown: Key Factors in a Battle

Key factors for the silverback gorilla vs. mountain lion battle include size, speed, attack, defense, intelligence, and survival skills. One of the biggest differences between these animals is that silverback gorillas aren’t carnivores. They spend most of their day eating leaves, shoots, and different types of fruit.

Even though they don’t hunt, the massive silverback will fight anyone who dares threaten their troop or status. In contrast, mountain lions are carnivorous creatures but are most likely to flee when they perceive a threat.

What will happen when the carnivorous mountain lion faces off with the mighty plant-eating silverback gorilla?

Round 1: Size and Speed

Round one compares both competitors’ size and speed. Silverback gorillas can be up to 5 feet tall and weigh 430 pounds. They’re capable of running at speeds of 25 mph, allowing them to quickly cover the rough terrain as they advance toward their opponent.

In comparison, mountain lions are usually 3 feet tall and 7 feet long. They can reach top speeds of 50 mph, twice that of the Silverback. These wildcats use their speed when ambushing prey in the middle of the night.

Round one is a tie. What the mountain lion lacks in size, it more than makes up for in speed—its ability to run twice as fast as the mighty gorilla will give it a unique advantage. However, once this wild cat is face to face with the silverback, it’ll have difficulty taking down the massive gorilla.

Round 2: Attack and Defense

Round two compares the silverback gorilla and mountain lions’ attack and defense abilities. Attack and defense abilities are how animals take down prey, eliminate threats, and evade predators.

Asserting dominance is easy for silverback gorillas since they have a bite force of 1300 PSI. They also have huge harm muscles that deliver a punch force of 2,700 pounds. They can also lift 1,700 pounds with ease. Finally, when defending themselves, silverbacks stand upright and pound on their chest to intimidate their opponent.

In comparison, mountain lions have a bite force of 400 PSI, substantially lower than that of the gorilla. However, powerful paws and razor-sharp canines are an advantage. When a mountain lion attacks, it usually bites the neck of its prey to snap its spine in two. They also have powerful front legs that they use to wrap around the neck of their prey, choking them in a stranglehold. Finally, mountain lions once again use their speed, usually retreating to safety high up in a tree.

Round two goes to the silverback gorilla. Even though the mountain lion can stalk and ambush the gorilla, it would need help gaining an advantage in face-to-face combat. The moment the mountain lion jumped on the primate, the mighty silverback could use its powerful arms to rip the cat in two.

Round 3: Intelligence and Survival Skills

Our last round will compare both animals’ intelligence and survival skills. Both animals are smart, but silverback gorillas are considered highly intelligent.

After bonobos and chimpanzees, silverback gorillas are one of the most closely related primates to humans. Their genetic code is 98.3% similar to ours. They’re so clever they know how to use simple tools. For instance, they use bamboo as ladders and sticks to determine a river’s depth before crossing.

Along with above-average intelligence, silverback gorillas are built for survival. Their opposable thumbs allow them to walk on their knuckles, and the hand-walking posture helps them cover the roughest terrains quickly. They can even carry small objects in their fingers as they move. And when they’re not walking along the ground, you’ll find these primates gracefully moving through the trees.

In comparison, mountain lions are also intelligent, but less so than silverback gorillas. There aren’t any records of mountain lions using tools as these primates do. But what this wildcat lacks in smarts, it more than makes up for in survival skills.

Mountain lions have excellent vision, expert tree-climbing skills, and some of the stealthiest movements around. Their retractable claws let them silently stalk prey in the middle of the night.

Though both animals have incredible skills, they display very different survival lifestyles. Mountain lions prefer a solitary approach, whereas silverback gorillas travel in large groups called troops.

Round three goes to the silverback gorilla. If the mountain lion and silverback gorilla were to fight, the mighty gorilla would find it easy to stand its ground. And if any other member of the troop got involved, the mountain lion would be quickly outnumbered.

Winner

Silverback gorilla

This all-out animal brawl would end with the silverback gorilla crowned champion!

©iStock.com/hypergurl

The silverback gorilla wins! The large primate would undoubtedly come out on top in a silverback gorilla vs. mountain lion battle. But that’s not to say that the mountain lion would be completely unsuccessful. The mountain lion could ambush the gorilla, cutting off air and sinking their sharp teeth into the primate’s flesh. They could also cause damage with their razor-like claws. However, no matter how much the mountain lion fought, the silverback’s size and strength would conquer the cat. This all-out animal brawl would end with the silverback gorilla crowned champion!

The photo featured at the top of this post is ©


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About the Author

Crystal is a dedicated writer at A-Z Animals, focusing on topics related to mammals, insects, and travel. With over a decade of experience in the world of research and writing, she also fulfills the role of a skilled video and audio engineer. Residing in sunny Florida, alligators are Crystal's favorite animal.

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