Re: Bell mandrills


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Posted by Mandrill Info... on June 20, 2002 at 23:28:23:

In Reply to: Bell mandrills posted by Mike Johnson on June 20, 2002 at 11:43:15:

Mandrill Baboon
CLASS: Mammalia
ORDER: Primates
FAMILY: Cercopithecidae
GENUS & SPECIES: Mandrillus sphinx
Historical: Africa, Europe and Asia
Current: West Central Africa, South Cameroon, Gabon, Congo; rain forest.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
Length: Head-body length: 27.5 in.
Weight: 110 lbs.

Coloration: Long, dense, olive-brown silky fur, often with mane or cape at the shoulders (heavier in adult males); face very brightly colored in adult males, with red median stripe on muzzle, ridged side of muzzle blue, beard yellow. Patches of blue skin as well as red skin on the rump. Colors are enhanced by increased blood flow. Females and juveniles similarly colored, but duller.

DIET:

Zoo: Primate science diet; apples, oranges, bananas, spinach, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and celery.

Wild: Grass, fruit, seeds, fungi, roots, insects, and small vertebrates.

BEHAVIOR: Live in large troops which vary in size throughout the year and are thought to have a hierarchical group structure based on the one-male unit or harem. Troops retain a defined home range. Face and rump colors are enhanced during excitement. Facial grimaces accompany aggitation. The base of the large upper canine shown in a grin as a threat. A full threat includes yawning with eyes closed to show white eyelids and full size of canine. The very large size of the upper canine is an adaptation towards aggression avoidance. Showing the canine is enough.

ADAPTATION: Live where they can find drinking water; have dog-like muzzles, and limb modifications which allow them to walk long distances on the ground. Their stance requires support under the shoulders. When foraging, therefore, they typically stand on one hand and pluck grass with the other. Large, blade-like leaf stripping tooth present, which occludes with the upper canine.

BREEDING & GROWTH:

Mandrills breed any time of the year. Gestation is about 6 months.

A single infant is born with fur and with its eyes open. Infants have a black natal coat and pink skin for the first 2 months. They cling to the mother's belly immediately and can usually support their own weight, although the mother typically puts a hand to the infant's back, supporting it as she moves about during the first few hours. The mother-daughter bond lasts into adulthood, and the maternal bond with sons lasts until sexual maturity. The bond is seen in the frequency of grooming or sitting together. Birth intervals vary around 2 years depending on food supply.

Longevity: 20-31 years.

STATUS: Seriously endangered because tropical forests are being destroyed at such a high rate, and their population is always at risk because of their slow reproductive rate.

RELATED:

Black & White Colobus
Golden Lion Tamarin
Mandrill Baboon
Spot-nosed Guenon



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