Mandrill

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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Mandrill | status = Conservation status: Vulnerable | image = Mandril.jpg | image_width = 200px | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | classis = Mammalia | ordo = Primates | familia = Cercopithecidae | genus = Mandrillus | species = M. sphinx | binomial = Mandrillus sphinx | binomial_authority = (Linnaeus, 1758) }} The Mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) is a primate of the Cercopithecidae (Old-world monkeys) family, closely related to the baboons and even more closely to the Drill. Both the Mandrill and the Drill were once classified as baboons in genus Papio, but recent research has determined that they should be separated into their own genus, Mandrillus. The Mandrill is the world's largest monkey species. The word mandrill means "man-ape".

The Mandrill is recognized by its olive-colored fur and colorful face and rump amongst males, a coloration that grows stronger with sexual maturity; females have duller colors. This coloration becomes more pronounced as the monkey becomes excited. The coloration on the rump is thought to enhance visibility in the thick vegetation of the rainforest and aids in group movement.

Males can weigh up to 60 lb (30 kg), females about half as much. They can grow to be about 0.5 m long (20 in) and can survive up to 25 years in captivity. Females reach sexual maturity at about 3.5 years.

The Mandrill is found in the tropical rainforests of Equatorial West Africa (South Cameroon, Gabon, and Congo). It is a social creature and may be found in groups ranging from 5 to 50 individuals, led by an older dominant male. Six to seven of these groups may come together during the dry season to form a troop of over 200 individuals.

The Mandrill is an omnivore and acquires its food by foraging (mainly plants, insects and smaller animals) from the ground as it is terrestrial, although it may climb trees occasionally to sleep. Its main natural predators are leopards and cheetahs. Because of over-hunting by humans, the Mandrill has become endangered. The situation is exacerbated by deforestation causing Mandrill habitats to disappear.

Although the Mandrill does not hunt larger prey, it is well adapted to fighting and is not to be provoked.

1 Reproduction
- 1.1 Courtship
- 1.2 Parenting
2 References
3 External link

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Reproduction

The gestation (pregnancy) time for the Mandrill is 6–7 months and young are usually born between January and April. However, the mandrill mates throughout the year during the estrus cycle, which occurs once every 33 days. The interbirth interval is typically 13-14 months.

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Courtship

During courtship, the male will walk after the female as the female leads with her tail in the air. The male will then make little courtship noises, baring his teeth and vocalizing softly. If the female likes what she hears she will present, which means she will bend down, head to the ground, rear in the air and will wait for the male. The male will mount her and they commence copulating. After copulation, the female will depart and both she and the male will finger their respective genitals and sniff and lick their fingers.

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Parenting

Mandrill infants are born with their eyes open and with fur. They have a black coat and pink skin for the first two months. They cling to their mother's belly immediately and can support their own weight. Mothers form bonds with their children. These bonds last into adulthood with the daughters, while the bonds with the sons last only until his sexual maturity. These bonds entail the two sitting with each other and grooming each other.

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