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 Mandrill |
Mandrill(Mammal) |
 Mandrill Baby |
Mandrill HabitsLike others species of baboon, mandrills are sociable animals, living in groups which may number from fifteen to 200 members. Each group contains at least one adult male, five or more adult females, and their young. Some males live alone, which indicates the likelihood of rivalry between adult males for the leadership of the groups. Madrills spend most of the day foraging in the forest for food. While foraging, the animals keep in verbal contact with one another by making grunting and crowing sounds. They also alert one another to possible predators, such as leopards or snakes.
At intervals during the day, the group will rest. Adults groom each other while the young Play.
The adult male displays vivid coloration on his face and rump in hues of blue, red, and purple. The coloration helps mandrills to identify one another when they are foraging. The male also has long, powerful canine teeth.
Female and young mandrills are much less colorful than the adult male, their faces are grayish black and lack any bright shades of color. Females are half the size and weight of males.Young mandrills of both sexes have the same coloration as adult females. Males attain their full coloration when they are sexually mature. |
Mandrill CommunicationLike all monkeys, mandrills communicate through scent marking, vocalizations, and body language. Sometimes mandrills shake their head and "grin" widely to show their enormous canine teeth, which can be over 2 inches long. This may appear scary to us, but it's usually a friendly gesture within the mandrill community.
If a mandrill is upset, it may beat the ground energetically. This is no slight gesture, as the mandrill is strong and muscular with powerful limbs. |
Mandrill BreedingThe dominant male has access to all the females in his harem, and he is most likely to father offspring. He mates randomly with the females when they are in estrus. During estrus, the female's sex organs become swollen, indicating that she is ready to mate.
A single young is born 7 months later. It suckles the mother's milk and travels everywhere with her, clinging tightly to her chest. Gradually, the young mandrill will begin to explore its surroundings.
Female mandrills usually remain in the group into which they were born, but as the young males reach maturity, they must often leave the group. |
Mandrill Food & FeedingMandrills eat fruits, leaves, roots, seeds. insects, eggs and small animals. Led by the adult males, they begin foraging for food on the ground under stones and among vegetation.
Fruit trees are another source of food for the mandrill. Large groups of mandrills, together with other species of monkey, will converge on the trees and feed on the fruit. Within their home range, mandrills are alert to the seasonal sources of food.
The mandrill is adept at foraging for food because its fingers work in a coordinated fashion. The mandrill can dig, sort, prepare food, and transfer it to its mouth. |
Mandrill Key Facts |
| Size |
| Height: Male, 28-30 inches. Tale length: 2-3 inches |
| Weight: Up to 120lb. Females are half the size and weight of males |
| Breeding |
| Sexual maturity: At least 4 years |
| Mating: Females come into estrus every 33 days |
| Gestation: 30 weeks |
| Number of young: 1 |
| Lifestyle |
| Habit: Sociable, diurnal |
| Diet: Plants, fruits, roots, seeds, insects, small mammals |
| Lifespan: Up to 46 years |
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