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The ferocious appearance of the mandrill is misleading. By nature, it is quite peaceable and social. The brilliant coloring of the male's face distinguishes it from the plainer female. |
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HABITS
Like 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.
BREEDING |
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The 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.
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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. |
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FOOD & FEEDING |
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Mandrills 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. |
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FEATURES OF THE MANDRILL |
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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. |
KEY FACTS |
