Mandrills

The mandrill is a primate that belongs to the family of old-world monkeys. They are closely related to baboons and drills (another primate). The mandrill is the world’s largest species of monkey, and are perhaps the most colorful primates. Charles Darwin wrote that “no other member in the whole class of mammals is coloured in so extraordinary a manner as the adult male mandrills”.

Mandrills are colored green or gray with yellow and black bands, along with a white belly. It’s face has a red stripe down the middle, and protruding blue ridges. It also has a yellow beard with white tuffs. It’s lower abdomen and reproductive organs are also brightly colored, with red, pink, blue and purple all making appearances. The males have more pronounced coloring than the females, and the dominant males are even more so.

The mandrill has the greatest sexual dimorphism among the primate family. Male mandrills weigh between 55 and 75 pounds and up to 110 pounds. The females, on the other hand only weigh between 25 and 30 pounds. The male is usually 3 feet in length, while the female is only 2 feet. They can survive for 31 years in captivity. They are omnivorous, eating mostly plants and fruits along with invertebrates. It will on occasion eat vertebrates, like eggs, birds, tortoises, frogs, porcupines, rats and shrews. They are considered to be “vulnerable”.

About the Author
Jacob Maddox manages content for Wildlife Animals http://www.wildlife-animals.com an educational wildlife and animal website. Jacob also guest writes for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net