Photo credit: www.dexerto.com
Wildlife expert and primate specialist Kaleb has engaged in the ongoing viral conversation surrounding the hypothetical scenario of whether a single silverback gorilla could defeat 100 men in combat.
This hot topic emerged from a tweet posted by an X (formerly Twitter) user named ‘DreamChasnMike’ on April 24, 2025. In his tweet, he humorously suggested that if a hundred individuals directed their efforts, they could potentially overcome one gorilla.
The tweet sparked a massive wave of responses and theories, with many internet users doubting the feasibility of 100 men overpowering a gorilla in close-quarters combat. This question has generated a myriad of memes, showcasing the public’s fascination with the topic, yet one specialist claims to have an informed answer to this theoretical battle.
Expert ‘answers’ 100 men vs gorilla debate
On April 27, Kaleb humorously addressed this widely debated issue, emphasizing his qualifications by stating he holds a degree specifically focusing on primates, making him uniquely suited to engage in the discussion about the 100 men versus one gorilla scenario.
Primarily working with various wildlife, including black bears and birds, Kaleb possesses a bachelor’s degree in ecology and a minor in primatology, showcasing his academic background.
Kaleb asserts that while 100 men could overpower a single gorilla, doing so would likely incur casualties among the assailants.
“In general, people tend to overestimate the physical attributes of a silverback gorilla,” he noted in a Twitter thread that has attracted nearly 17 million views. He elaborated that adult male silverbacks typically weigh between 300-400 pounds, with some reaching nearly 600 pounds, providing them with extraordinary strength—estimated to be four to five times greater than that of an average gym-trained human.
On average, a male silverback weighs in at around 300-400 pounds; the largest ever recorded was nearly 600 pounds. This immense size translates to them being about 4-5 times stronger than the average man who works out, leading to certain casualties for the attackers, though not to the extent of unilaterally destroying their opponents.
— Kaleb (@cowboyKal3b) April 28, 2025
Kaleb points out that, despite gorillas being closely related to humans genetically, they exhibit some human-like vulnerabilities and tend to tire quicker, a disadvantage nonetheless mitigated by their strength.
Thus, he concludes that, in a situation where humans are united in numbers, their endurance would ultimately wear down the gorilla, securing a victory for the group. “A gorilla would likely fatigued more rapidly compared to humans, who have evolved to maximize endurance at the expense of the strength seen in other primates,” he elaborated.
To effectively subdue an average silverback, Kaleb estimates that around 30-40 men would suffice, provided the gorilla does not act out aggressively toward the crowd, as wild animals typically exhibit flight responses when confronted with large groups.
I think 30-40 men would probably be enough to take on the average silverback, and that’s assuming he has a counter-instinctual bloodlust rather than fleeing from a large group of aggressors, like any wild animal (excluding elephants or hippos).
— Kaleb (@cowboyKal3b) April 28, 2025
As discussions around this topic continue to thrive, even public figures like Elon Musk have expressed interest, with Musk responding to YouTube celebrity MrBeast’s humorous suggestion to create a video exploring the outcome of such a fight.
Source
www.dexerto.com