Mandrill and baboon monkeys are two distinct, omnivorous monkey species that can be found in Africa.Though they live on the same continent, their habitat does differ slightly which makes it difficult for both species to be spotted in the same area. There are only two species of mandrill, whereas there are six species of baboons.Though both these animals are monkey species, they are quite different from each other. So in a mandrill vs baboon fight, which one is more likely to win? Is it even possible for the two animals to be found in the same area? Read on to learn more!If you enjoyed this article, check out our pages on Lesula monkey and Pileated gibbon.Do mandrills and baboon fight often?Baboons and mandrills have not been reported to engage in interspecies fights. Their range of habitat does not overlap much, which means that the chances of them encountering each other are slim.However, both baboons and mandrills are very social primates and can be found living in large groups (called hordes for mandrills and troops for baboons). Fights are bound to break out with dominant males of the same group for leadership rights, as well as between different groups when it comes to territory.Though rarely, these monkeys may attack humans in search of food. They will not attack people with the intent of hunting them, but rather to procure any food in their possession. Their bites and scratches however can be very painful and transmit harmful bacteria and parasites, which is why it is important to not carry any food items in the open around these animals.Hypothetically, however, in a baboon vs mandrill fight, the mandrills have much more advantage over baboons. They are larger in size, and also hold more force in their bite, which makes it easy for them to overpower baboons which are much smaller.How big do mandrills grow?The Mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) is one of two species of the animal genus Mandrillus, the other being the primate drill. Mandrills are an Old World monkey species and are found in the continent of Africa in Gabon, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of the Congo.These primates are quite colorful and can be identified by their bright red lips, blue muzzles, and white belly. Their muzzle has a red stripe, and their dark olive green or gray fur is usually covered with white or yellow bands in places. Males and females are easily distinguishable, with male mandrills being larger and more colorful than females.Male monkeys are usually 30-37 in (75-95 cm) long, with their weight being 42-82 lb (19-37 kg), whereas female mandrills are almost half their size, measuring 22–26 in (55-66 cm) with a weight of around 22–33 lb (10-15 kg).The largest monkey species in the whole world is mandrill, however, the status of these old world monkeys is currently Vulnerable according to the IUCN due to falling numbers. Its mating season lasts from July to September, with birth rates falling every year. Each female gives birth to a single infant.How big do baboons grow?There are six species of baboons in the world, all of which inhabit tropical rainforests or arid grasslands or savannahs in Africa and the Middle East. They are considered Old World monkey species and have the typical cheek pouches which all related monkey species do as well. All baboons share common characteristics, however, having large, sharp teeth, distinct heavy muzzles, a short tail, cheek pouches, and bright, hairless behinds.Belonging to the genus Papio, the known baboon species are the olive baboon, Guinea baboon, hamadryas baboon, yellow baboon, Kinda baboon, and the chacma baboon. Baboons, though they share similar characteristics, may vary slightly in appearance from species to species.On average, these primates measure between 20-40 in (50-100 cm) in length, not including their tail, and their weight varies from 33-82 lb (15-37 kg). Male baboons are bigger than female baboons. Out of these species, the smallest Kinda baboon is only 20 in (50 cm) long, and the largest is the Chacma baboon, measuring 47 in (120 cm) across.Baboons have long, often matted fur which depends in color according to their species. These monkeys can have silver, yellow, olive, or brown fur. Their faces and bottoms are hairless and covered with hard, colorful red or pink skin.What do mandrill and baboons eat?Mandrills are omnivorous monkeys in nature and will eat a variety of foods in the wild. They forage for food among plants, shrubs, and trees and seek out roots, herbs, fruits, vegetables, leaves, tubers, seeds, and fungi to sustain themselves on. However, for protein, they will consume insects, ants, eggs, snakes, lizards, frogs, crabs, mollusks, and any other meat they can find.Mandrills, like all other Old World monkeys, are fond of grooming each other and eating the ticks that they find in their fur. Male mandrills tend to search for food at the ground or underground level, whereas juveniles and females usually forage for food among plants, crops, and trees. The food they eat is usually localized to where they live, for example, in the dry season they raid banana, cassava, and oil palm plantations for their fruit. They store excess food in their cheek pouches for later, or to carry back to the females and children.In captivity, these monkeys are fed a combination of fruits, vegetables, tree bark and leaves, and high-protein monkey chow. They are particularly fond of lettuce, potatoes, apples, and tomatoes.Baboons, on the other hand, are opportunistic feeders and will eat almost anything edible that they come across. Most of their diet is made of grass, supplemented by the occasional seeds, flowers, roots, leaves, nectar, and tree bark. They are omnivores and can also eat insects and may also hunt down and eat eggs, hares, young antelopes and sheep, birds, fish, and shellfish. Baboon groups can be quite destructive, rampaging around crops in search of food!The Chacma baboon species is able to survive solely on grass, and can go without consuming water for up to 11 days! This makes it easy for these monkeys to survive in the arid savannah, where no other primate species are found, leading to less competition among species for resources.In captivity, they are fed a diet of mainly fruits, nuts, vegetables, and specially formulated monkey chow.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for mandrill vs baboon then why not take a look at ape facts, or mantled guereza facts.
Mandrill and baboon monkeys are two distinct, omnivorous monkey species that can be found in Africa.
