Mandrills are the world’s largest monkeys. Once classified as baboons, the mandrill is a primate of the Old World, and was described by Darwin in his famous book ‘The Descent of Man’. He wrote – “no other member in the whole class of mammals is coloured in so extraordinary a manner as the adult male mandrill”.

Scientific Name – Mandrillus sphinx

Classification – Mandrillus

Gender Names – Male – male; Female – female; Baby – infant

Collective Noun – Troop, cartload

Length/Size – 56-81cm (22-32in)

Weight – 11.5-30kg (25-60lbs)

Top Speed – 40km/h (25mph)

Life Expectancy – 20-28 years; up to 30+ in captivity

Mating Season – July to September

Gestation Period – 175 days

Special Features – Snout is long and brightly colored, has sharp teeth

Social Structure – Live in very large, stable groups averaging around 615 individuals and reaching as many as 845

Geographical Distribution – Southern Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Congo

Natural Habitat – Tropical rainforests and occasionally grasslands

Conservation Status –Vulnerable

Diet – Fruit, Roots, Insects

Predators – Leopard, Eagles, Snakes