Origin
The mandril is one of the largest pavians and lives on the soil of the tropical forests of Central and West Africa.
Only adult males have a specific bright red and blue-lilac coloration, females have a black-brown face.
Mandril Food
Mandrils consume fruits, leaves, roots, seeds, insects, eggs and smaller mammals. Shortly after sunrise, they set off in search of food.
The process is led by the adult male who also chooses the place to roam. Most food is found on the ground. Like other monkeys, as well as humans, the fingers of the mandrill's hand move coordinated when the animal digs, pigsties and when preparing food or inserting it into its mouth.
When the fruit ripens, the time comes for the harvest. During this season the mandrils and other monkey species gather in groups in the trees.
Mandrils know exactly, depending on the season, what type of food is found on their territory.
Appearance Mandrill
The length of the body varies between 70 and 95cm. The length of the tail is about 15cm.
The weight varies between 25 and 35 kg in males, with females weighing about half that of males.
He is sociable and active during the day. It emits three types of screams.
In captivity it can live over 45 years.
Mandril Behavior
Like the other paviani and mandrill is a sociable animal, living in groups of 15-200 individuals. The most numerous groups form during the dry season,when several small groups merge.
Is there at least one group in each?in one fully developed male and about five females along with their young. The rest of the males live alone.
From this fact we deduce that adult males fight for rank within the group. Mandrils spend most of the day searching for food in the forest.
During searches, the mandrills communicate with each other through screams and various mumbled sounds. In case of danger these sounds serve as a warning (for example in case of approaching a leopard).
During the day, at certain intervals, the group rests. During this time the adults take care of each other's fur, and the chicks play.
Mutual fur care has an important social role within the group, also helping to eliminate parasites.
Reproduction Of Mandrill
Sexual maturity is reached around the age of 4 years. Females are fertile every 33 days.
Gestation lasts 30 weeks after which the female usually gives birth to a single cub.
The offspring of each group are usually produced by the dominant male with the females of the harem, with whom they mate without selection, if they are ready. The disposition for mating can be recognized by the increase in volume of the region around the tail of the females.
After a gestation of seven and a half months, only one cub is born. The mother carries her baby all over while it sits clinging to her body. Little by little the Madril Cubs begin to discover their environment and play with the other members of the group.
At first the males are dark in color, acquiring the characteristic color only after reaching sexual maturity. Females usually remain in the group in which they were born, but the males are driven away by the dominant male as soon as they reach sexual maturity.
