The mandrill is an African monkey with an imposing body and an elongated snout typical of the cynocephalous species. The primate strongly resembles its cousin the baboon but differs from it by the red and blue coloring of its face and buttocks. Zoom on the mandrill, a colored version of the baboon.

The mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) is a monkey belonging to the order of primates and the family Cercopithecidae, like the baboon and the drill. These three species of African primates are said to be cynocephalous because they have a long snout. Etymological science tells us that the Latin term cynocephalus (which has a dog’s head) comes from the Greek kunokephalos (kunos, dog and kephalê, head). The face of the cercopithecids is also distinguished by prominent eyebrow ridges. The male mandrill measures between 65 and 95 cm and weighs 30 to 40 kg; the size of the females is 50 to 65 cm for a weight of 10 to 20 kg.

mandrill diet

The mandrill is an opportunistic omnivorous species that feeds primarily on plants: grasses, fruits, nuts, shoots, roots, herbs, seeds, flowers, leaves, mushrooms… The primate also consumes insects, spiders, snails, crustaceans, eggs, chicks (and birds), frogs, small reptiles and rodents (rats) as well as small mammals such as hedgehogs.

Is the mandrill an endangered

Except for leopards, the adult mandrill has few predators. In the presence of an intruder, the primate curls its lips and shows its large and powerful canines which generally have a dissuasive effect. Juveniles are preyed upon by pythons and raptors such as the crowned eagle. The threats to the mandrill are twofold: first, the loss of its natural habitat due to deforestation for timber exploitation and the expansion of agricultural land. The second cause of its population decline is poaching for bushmeat, a highly prized delicacy in the cities. Unfortunately, the monkey’s loud calls make it an easy target for poachers. Classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the mandrill is threatened with extinction. Its lifespan is 15 to 20 years in the wild and up to 30 years in captivity.