The question of who would win in a fight between 100 men and a silverback gorilla is a popular thought experiment with no definitive answer, but expert opinions and scientific assessments provide insight. Strength Comparison:
- A fully grown silverback gorilla is estimated to be 4 to 10 times stronger than an average human, with the ability to lift around 4,000 pounds (1,810 kg) on a bench press, far exceeding even well-trained humans who max out around 885 pounds (401.5 kg)
- Gorillas have immense upper body strength, powerful arms, and a bite force of about 1,300 pounds per square inch, which is much stronger than a lion’s bite and can easily cause severe injuries to humans
- Silverbacks weigh between about 136 to 227 kilograms (300 to 485 pounds), are muscular, and have natural fighting experience from intraspecies conflicts
Human Advantage:
- Humans have the advantage of numbers, coordination, and the ability to strategize and cooperate effectively. Tara Stoinski of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund suggests that a large group of humans could potentially wear a gorilla down over time by taking turns attacking
- Ron Magill from Zoo Miami believes humans could win by working together to restrain the gorilla, though with likely casualties from the gorilla’s powerful strikes and bites
Expert Opinions:
- Primatologist Cat Hobaiter argues that if humans attack one by one rather than simultaneously, they would stand no chance against the gorilla’s raw power
- Michelle Rodrigues notes gorillas are not typically aggressive and would prefer to flee rather than fight if possible
- The debate remains unresolved, with some experts leaning toward the gorilla due to its overwhelming physical strength and others emphasizing human cooperation and endurance.
Summary:
- A silverback gorilla is physically stronger than 20 adult humans combined and can inflict serious damage with punches and bites
- 100 unarmed men could potentially overwhelm the gorilla through coordinated effort, but it would be a dangerous and costly confrontation with likely injuries and fatalities among the humans
- The gorilla’s natural fighting ability and strength make it a formidable opponent, but human teamwork and strategy could be decisive.
In conclusion, while a silverback gorilla is extraordinarily strong and dangerous, 100 men working together could theoretically win, though not without significant risk and difficulty. The outcome depends heavily on the conditions of the encounter, the humans’ coordination, and whether they can avoid the gorilla’s powerful attacks