Let’s imagine two of the most fearsome beasts ever—the Siberian Tiger and a Silverback Gorilla—going head to head. That would be one of the most intense battles in animal history, right?
The Siberian Tiger is native to Siberia in Russia, where the climate is harsh and survival a matter of both strength and skill. The Silverback Gorilla is the largest of its species and lives in the mountains of Africa.
Who will become our ultimate champion in a fight between the two? Let’s count the facts and find out. May the strongest and the smartest animal win!
Let’s get to know the two animals
The Siberian Tiger is one of the largest species among the big cats. It is native to the cold region of Siberia in Russia. That’s where they get their name from. They are also found in China and North Korea.
Very few Siberian Tigers survive today due to hunting and human interference. Their present number is around 500. IUCN puts them in the list of endangered animals. They are also known as Amur Tigers.
The Silverback Gorilla is the largest of all Gorillas. It is found in the mountains of Africa. They are called Silverbacks because the older male Gorillas grow a patch of silver hair on their backs, which is otherwise black. What’s interesting about Gorillas is that they are a very intelligent species. Sadly, only about 1000 of these survive today.
This is due to the loss of natural habitat to humans and climate change. They are also known as the Mountain Gorilla.
A fully grown male Siberian Tiger weighs about 660 pounds. The average shoulder height may be between 3 ft to 3 ft 3 inches, while the head and body length are 7 ft 4 inches. The average life-span is between 15 to 18 years in the wild.
An adult male Silverback Gorilla may weigh about 300 to 485 pounds. The average shoulder height is around 4 to 6 ft. They have an arm span of 8 ft, which is larger than their height! They usually live up to 35 years in the wild.
Siberian Tigers prey on both small and large animals. They are known to hunt rabbits, elk, wild boar, moose, Siberian musk deer, Manchurian Wapiti, Asiatic black bears, and brown bears. They are carnivorous creatures.
Silverback Gorillas are omnivores. However, their primary diet consists of vegetation. They eat any plant matter they can find like leaves, shoots, berries, roots, barks of trees, bamboo, and wild celery. On rare occasions, they may be found eating insects or ants.
Comparing features of a Siberian Tiger and a Silverback Gorilla
| Features | Siberian Tigers | Silverback Gorillas |
| Habitat | Siberia, Russia | Africa |
| Type | Mammals | Mammals |
| Scientific name | Panthera tigris altaica | Gorilla Gorilla beringei |
| Family | Felidae | Hominidae |
| Genus | Panthera | Gorilla |
| Diet | Carnivore | Omnivore |
| Weight | 660 pounds | 300 to 485 pounds |
| Head and body height | 7 ft 4 inch | 4 to 6 ft |
| Shoulder height | 3 ft 3 inch | Arm span of 8 feet |
| Status | Endangered | Endangered |
| Lifespan | 15 to 18 years | 35 years |
Strengths and weaknesses of the two creatures
The Siberian Tiger and the Silverback Gorilla are both kings of their own habitats. They are huge in size, strong as well as smart animals. If they ever went to battle, who do you think will be the one to take the trophy home? Let’s compare their strengths and weaknesses to arrive at a verdict!
The first category of comparison is the weight. Here we have the Siberian Tiger taking the lead with a massive weight of 660 pounds. The Silverback Gorilla is the heaviest among its species. It weighs between 300 to 485 pounds, which is a lot less than a Siberian Tiger.
What’s the maximum speed at which they can either chase their prey or run to save their lives? A Siberian Tiger can run at a top speed of 60 miles per hour. In comparison, a Silverback Gorilla can only reach a maximum speed of 20 to 25 miles an hour. If it comes to a race, our Silverback might be left way behind.
Now let us consider bite force to find out who has the power to land the fatal bite. The Silverback Gorilla takes the lead in this category. It has an incredible bite force of 1300 pounds per square inch. The Siberian Tiger is close behind with a bite force of 1050 pounds per square inch.
Who has the strongest canines to severely wound its opponent? A Siberian Tiger has thick and long canines, used to tearing meat. They are usually 2.5 to 3 inches long. A Silverback Gorilla’s canines can measure up to 2 inches in length. However, they are not primarily meat-eaters.
Let’s take a look at their appetites. A Siberian Tiger can eat up to 60 pounds of meat in a day. On the other hand, a Silverback Gorilla consumes only about 44 pounds of meat a day on an average. It sticks to an omnivorous diet.
Who is the most deadly predator of the two? The Siberian Tiger is a clear winner in this category. It is a deadly beast, known to kill even large animals like Asiatic black and brown bears. 1 person dies every year on an average due to Tiger attacks. Gorillas have not been known to kill any humans yet.
| Category | Siberian Tiger | Silverback Gorilla |
| Weight | 660 pounds | 300 to 485 pounds |
| Top speed in m/h | 60 miles per hour | 20 to 25 miles per hour |
| Bite force in psi | 1050 pounds per square inch | 1300 pounds per square inch |
| People killed every year | 1 person | None |
| Teeth | 2.5 to 3 inches | 2 inches |
| Average appetite | 60 lbs meat in a day | 44 pounds of food in a day |
How much does location matter?
In a hypothetical battle between a Siberian Tiger and a Silverback Gorilla, does location play a role? Can it be the deciding factor in the fight? Not really.
A Siberian Tiger is native to the woodlands of Siberia in Russia. This is a remote and cold region with harsh living conditions.
Anyone who can survive such a climate is sure to be a tough creature. In contrast, the Silverback Gorilla belongs to the mountains of Africa. It has grown up in Africa’s tropical climate, with plenty to eat and zero hunting skills. It prefers a plant-based diet.
Each of these beasts is a king of their own land. But the advantage of home territory would not make a great difference if one lacks the most important skills. The Siberian Tiger is a great hunter by nature. In contrast, a Silverback Gorilla isn’t much of a predator.
Who is our ultimate winner: The Siberian Tiger Or Silverback Gorilla?
A Siberian Tiger is the apex predator of the Siberian wilderness. A Silverback Gorilla is a literal giant who lives in the mountains of Africa. There’s little chance that the two will ever meet and go to battle for real. But hypothetically, what will be the outcome if they do? Let’s look at the odds and take our best guess!
The Siberian Tiger is the heavier animal, weighing a massive 660 pounds. The Silverback Gorilla stands between 300 to 485 pounds. They are nearly equal in size.
Besides body weight, a Siberian Tiger also has the advantage of thicker and longer canines, which can measure up to 3 inches in length.
The Silverback Gorilla has a more powerful bite force. It can definitely hold its ground and fatally wound its enemy.
However, the Siberian Tiger is faster on its feet. It can reach a top speed of 60 mph. The Silverback Gorilla can only run at a top speed of 25 mph.
What does this say about the outcome of a fist-fight between the two? The odds may go in anyone’s favor. But who is the better predator? The Siberian Tiger, no doubt.
The Siberian Tiger has mastered the art of hunting. It also occasionally preys on big animals like black and brown bears. In comparison, the Silverback Gorilla prefers to eat food that’s easily found. Its primary diet is plant-based stuff. This is sure to turn the tables against the Silverback. It is not a hunter by nature.
Final Verdict
Next to impossible, a Siberian Tiger and a Silverback Gorilla will ever meet for a face-off in the real world. They live thousands of miles away, at opposite ends of the earth. The Siberian Tiger is found in either Siberia in Russia, China, or North Korea. The mountains of Africa are home to our giant Silverback Gorilla.
But hypothetically speaking, what if a Siberian Tiger and a Silverback Gorilla ever went head to head? Have you guessed the champion yet? Here’s our final verdict.
The Siberian Tiger is a great hunter. It is the apex predator of its ecosystem. They are known as masters of camouflage. They use stealth, skill, and killer strength to chase their prey to death.
The Silverback Gorilla is one of the largest apes ever. They are very intelligent and intuitive creatures. However, they are not born hunters. In fact, they are not used to conflict and may choose to run away if they come across a Tiger! Therefore, our clear winner is the Siberian Tiger—the king of the Siberian jungle.