Mandrill

African monkeys · super colorful · social animals

Rainbow face and rear. Male mandrills have bright red and blue skin on their faces and rumps, while females are duller. The colors get even more vivid when a mandrill is excited or trying to impress others, like a living mood ring that shows off every feeling.

Males are much bigger. Male mandrills can weigh up to 80 pounds and have long, sharp canine teeth, while females are smaller and less colorful. This difference between males and females, called sexual dimorphism, helps them play different roles in their groups.

Huge family groups. Mandrills live in giant troops that can include hundreds or even thousands of individuals, making them some of the most social monkeys in Africa. Living in such large groups helps them stay safe from predators and find food together.

Related to mangabeys. Scientists once thought mandrills were a type of baboon, but DNA shows they're actually most closely related to white-eyelid mangabeys. Their closest living relative is another colorful monkey called the drill.

Forest floor dwellers. Unlike many monkeys that stay in trees, mandrills spend a lot of time on the ground searching for fruit, seeds, and insects in the rainforests of west central Africa.