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The Leader male Mandrill


The Leader male Mandrill
Photo Information
Copyright: Harm Alberts (Harm-digitaal) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 108 W: 7 N: 1877] (7145)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-07-07
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L USM Macro
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-03-02 16:38
Viewed: 1009
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) is a primate of the Cercopithecidae (Old-world monkeys) family, closely related to the baboons and even more closely to the Drill. The Mandrill is the world's largest monkey species. The word mandrill means "man-ape".

The Mandrill is recognized by its olive-colored fur and colorful face and rump amongst males, a coloration that grows stronger with sexual maturity; females have duller colors. This coloration becomes more pronounced as the monkey becomes excited. The coloration on the rump is thought to enhance visibility in the thick vegetation of the rainforest and aids in group movement.

Males can weigh up to 60 lb (30 kg), females about half as much. They can grow to be about 1 m long (39 in) and can survive up to 25 years in captivity. Females reach sexual maturity at about 3.5 years.

The Mandrill is found in the tropical rainforests of West Africa (Southern Nigeria, South Cameroon, Gabon, and Congo). It is a social creature and may be found in groups ranging from 5 to 50 individuals, led by an older dominant male. Six to seven of these groups may come together during the dry season to form a troop of over 200 individuals.

The Mandrill is an omnivore and acquires its food by foraging (mainly plants, insects and smaller animals) from the ground as it is terrestrial, although it may climb trees occasionally to sleep. Its main natural predators are leopards and cheetahs. Because of over-hunting by humans, the Mandrill has become endangered. The situation is exacerbated by deforestation causing Mandrill habitats to disappear.

Although the Mandrill does not normally hunt larger prey, on some occasions males have been observed to hunt and consume duiker (a small antelope). Despite this it is well adapted to fighting and is not to be provoked.

The gestation (pregnancy) time for the Mandrill is 6–7 months and young are usually born between January and April. However, the mandrill mates throughout the year during the estrus cycle, which occurs once every 33 days. The interbirth interval is typically 13-14 months.

Mandrill infants are born with their eyes open and with fur. They have a black coat and pink skin for the first two months. They cling to their mother's belly immediately and can support their own weight. Mothers form bonds with their children. These bonds last into adulthood with the daughters, while the bonds with the sons last only until his sexual maturity. These bonds entail the two sitting with each other and grooming each other.

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandrill

Harm
taba, loot, coasties, JoseMiguel, Ken52 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • taba Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 481 W: 128 N: 305] (1713)
  • [2007-03-02 17:51]

Hi Harm
great capture with fantastic colours and details in the Mandrill's face..
Very good.
Taba

  • Great 
  • Nilson Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 448 W: 0 N: 444] (3166)
  • [2007-03-02 19:47]

Boa foto com nitidez satisfatória está de parabéns pela foto e pelo texto um bom trabalho em geral.
NIlson

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5921 W: 734 N: 4065] (10865)
  • [2007-03-02 20:41]
  • [2]

Hi Harm

This is an excellent portrait of a beautiful mandrill. You managed well to capture all the delicate features of this magnificent animal and the isolated BG complimented the close cropped composition. Stunning colours and amazing details ensured a very pleasing visual result. I like the clear view of the eyes and the facial area. You even captured a number of flies in the mandrill's face which makes this a multi species shot (chuckle).

Good work and TFS.
Regards
Loot

Hi Harm

Stunning shot. Nice light and excellent POV. What a wonderful face! :-)

Hi Harm,
This is an outstanding portrait of this mandril!
I like so much the close aproach and the magnificent details got on the face, they are so clear and sharp.
The face seems to be like an exotic mask, with the formations around the red nose and the whites mustaches.
A remarkable picture.
Congratulations and thanks for share it.
My best regards,
JM

  • Great 
  • Ken52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 637 W: 98 N: 1242] (4189)
  • [2007-03-02 23:43]

Excellent portrait. Amazing color and exceptional sharpness. Very good note.

  • Great 
  • delic Gold Star Critiquer [C: 449 W: 6 N: 310] (898)
  • [2007-03-03 1:34]

Superb portrait with great detail, sharpness and depth of field. That nose really adds color. Well done. Regards, Hakan

Bonjour Harm
Excelletn portrait et attitude du sujet, couleurs, cadrage et netteté. Bravo
Amicalement Robi

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3102 W: 233 N: 6304] (21553)
  • [2007-03-04 4:20]

What a beauty, Harm.
The POV you chose sure displays his amazing facial features in the best light. Super sharp details and good exposure.
Interesting to see those three bugs on his face.
What an impressive animal.
TFS. : )

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