Mandrill

Mandrills are the largest monkeys in the world, characterised by a red stripe down their elongated muzzles with blue ridges on the sides. They may look like baboons, but they are more closely related to mangabeys.

Mandrills use their teeth to express a variety of emotions and behaviours. Their sharp canines are used for defence, but a quick flash of their teeth is a friendly gesture, and a yawn is a warning not to approach!

These primates are incredibly social, living in large groups called hordes, with a hierarchy of dominant males and females at the top. The dominant males ultimately lead and father most of the offspring. They are sexually dimorphic, with males being about a third heavier than females.

Mandrill hordes live in groups of up to 50 individuals, spending their days on the ground and sleeping in the trees at night. Females raise the young and provide most of the care to the offspring.