Mandrillus sphinx

The mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) is a species of catarrhine primate of the Cercopithecidae family (Old World monkeys). It is related to the baboons and more closely to the drill. The mandrill and the drill were classified in the past within the genus Papio, but later research led to their separate genus, Mandrillus.

Weighing up to 55 kg, they are the largest monkeys in the world (not counting the great apes).

Its range includes western tropical Africa, from Equatorial Guinea to Congo.

Description

Face of a female with its colors and features.

Mandril drill.

The baboons are easily recognizable by the olive-brown color of their fur and especially by the bluish and reddish coloration of their face and rear. The face of the males shows bright red and blue on their snouts, they also have deep grooves that run along both sides of the snout, which stands out more within the white fur that frames the face. This coloration is acquired with sexual maturity and intensifies when individuals become excited. The color of the females is much duller. The colors of the butt would be intended to enhance visibility and help the group to stay together among the dense vegetation of the jungle.

Males are much larger than females, their average weight being over 30 kg while females barely reach 15 kg. Exceptionally large males exceed 50 kg. All these dimorphic traits are a clear example of sexual selection. They reach a wingspan of 1 meter and in captivity they can live for more than 31 years. Females reach sexual maturity at around three and a half years.

Males have large canines that measure between 5 and 12 cm.

Behavior

The baboons are social beings that live in large groups of up to 250 individuals moving on the floor of tropical forests, divided into subgroups of about 20 individuals, mainly made up of females and young with a dominant male. Most adult males are solitary. It is difficult to estimate the size of such bands within a forest, but it is usually done by filming a group crossing a clearing between two parts of the forest or a road. The largest group recorded by this method contained 1,300 individuals, in the Lopé National Park (Gabon), which is the largest group of non-human primates recorded.

Baboons are omnivorous and obtain their food by gathering (mainly plants, insects and other small animals) from the ground. Although baboons do not usually hunt large prey, males have been observed hunting and devouring duikers (small antelopes). Its main natural predator is the leopard.

A large group of baboons can cause significant damage to crops in a very short time, which is why farmers often consider them a pest and their habitat is being reduced due to the increase in agricultural areas in Cameroon. On the other hand, in their range, baboons are also hunted for their meat.

Playback

Female with her baby.

Courtship

Canadian observer William Sommers; He has discovered that, during courtship, the males follow the females, who lead the way. Males make some courtship sounds, showing their teeth and vocalizing slightly. If the female likes it, she will orient her rear towards the male, who will mount her and begin copulation. Then the female leaves.

Caring for the pups

Baby baboons are born with their eyes open and fur. This one is black and its skin is pink for the first two months. They cling to their mother's belly immediately and are able to hang supporting their own weight. Mothers create strong bonds with their young that last throughout their adult lives in the case of females, while with males they only last until they reach sexual maturity. This relationship is manifested by sitting together and by mutual social deworming.