Mandrill, << MAN druhl, >> is a colorful monkey that lives in the forests of Cameroon and other parts of western Africa. Male mandrills are among the largest monkeys, weighing as much as 90 pounds (41 kilograms). Female mandrills weigh half as much. Mandrills resemble baboons, having long arms, small, piglike eyes, large canine teeth, and a muzzle similar to that of a dog. The male mandrill is especially colorful. Its cheeks are blue; its long, flat nose is red; and its rump is red and blue.
Like most other monkeys, mandrills live in groups. Mandrill groups range from 15 to 95 individuals, though as many as 150 mandrills may band together for short periods of time. Males protect the group against leopards and other predators (hunting animals). Mandrills move about on the ground and in trees. They feed on vegetation—especially fruits—and many kinds of insects. In captivity, individual mandrills have lived for more than 40 years.
