Mandrill Wants to Eat You

Mandrill is the world's largest monkey. Mandrill lives in Africa. Mandrill's face becomes even more colorful when he's excited. Mandrill is shy and elusive. But Mandrill wants to eat you.

Don't let the goatee and the paint job fool you, folks. The mandrill is equipped with extremely long canines - and they know how to use them. They're also equipped with something that I wish I had: pouches in their cheeks for storing food for later consumption. Instead I have to carry around a fanny pack full of candy bars and salty snacks.

Photo source: Jean-Louis Albert

The Mighty Mandrill

Photo source: Willie Stark
Mandrill's are the world's largest monkeys and arguably the world's most colorful mammals. They are blessedly shy and reclusive...blessedly because I know that the branch it is gnawing could easily be my forearm.

They live in large groups dominated by a single male. One such group (documented on film) was estimated as being comprised of upwards of 1,300 individuals. That constitutes the largest single population of non-human primates known. That male is probably also the busiest primate on the planet.

Those enormous fangs come in handy during self-defense. But baring them to other mandrills is usually meant as a friendly greeting. I'll settle for a simple handshake, Mr. Mandrill.

Mandrill Digits

Ushindi, a mandrill at the Franklin Park Zoo, shows off his fangs and his quasi-opposable thumbs and big toes. I never realized how much like a tree frog feet mandrill's hands and feet could look when pressed against plexiglass. But here, at Ugly Overload, you learn something new all the time. Even if it's completely useless.

Photo source: (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)

Secret Identity Revealed ...

Been wondering what the answer to Thursday's quiz was? Want the secret identify revealed? Well, I have a question to ask before the big reveal: who are you, Rasmus?! You determined that the big eye belonged to an emu, and then that the blue butt belong to a mandrill. Who are you? You are the mongoose to my cobra ... or the cobra to my mongoose (I'm not so good with animals ...). Either way, you have foiled me twice - each time within minutes of posting.






Yes, the blue butt belongs to a mandrill. You can thank Clay for these photos. If you know what's good for you, you won't comment on a mandrill's butt to its face - they don't take kindly to mockery. And they are violent.

Steer Clear

Kim has captured the essence of the mandrill. See how he is wringing his hands? He's either busy hatching some wicked scheme, or else eagerly anticipating his next kill. Look at those eyes. He's up to something.

These old-world primates were once thought to be part of the baboon family. But no, that wasn't ugly enough. These monkeys are something more. They are now in their own genus (along with their cousin, the Drill). What you see below is a male, whose colorful face not only indicates his gender, but also that he has possibly become excited about something (perhaps that evil plot?). Whatever the reason, steer clear and be thankful you'll probably only encounter them with a fence or plexiglass between the two of you. Though they aren't typically hunters, the mandrill is
"well adapted to fighting and is not to be provoked." Ya, I figured that out. Thanks.

Sleepy Primate

I'm a sleepy primate (that's great, maybe even super, ape to these monkeys below) today. Our ten-month-old son has been enjoying getting up before 5am for the past couple of days.

I wish I had some proper fangs to bare at him. I imagine in the dim light of the LED night light we have in his room that the fangs would look nice and intimidating. Maybe he wouldn't be so eager to get up...

(hamadryas baboon, mandrill, and golden snub nose monkey)

Photo source: Edgar Thissen




















Photo source: Tiger Jack


























Photo source: In Cherl Kim

Ugly Runs Strong

Sometimes this blog is too easy (unless I'm doing posts on tiny fish). Take this baboon, for instance; he makes my job so much easier.

Did you know that the fives species of baboon, along with the Mandrill and Drill, are among the largest of the non-hominid primates? Why is it that each of these has made appearances on this blog? Ugly seems to run strong in non-hominids. Heck, the same goes for hominids.

Photo courtesy: baboon

Get Your Snarl On

It's a shame that so much color should be marred by so much ugly. This mandrill has his snarl on, but from the look of his eyes, his heart just isn't in it.

Any orthodontists care to take on this primates mouth pro bono? Come on, it's charity.