When you look in the mirror, be thankful : )

Definitely a face that only a mother could love, but quite impressive. This photo was taken through dirty glass at the Calgary Zoo on 14 October 2014. The last three times I've been to the Zoo, these Mandrills have been in an outdoor enclosure that is cluttered, and not good for taking photos. This is a photo from 14 October 2014 – a rather messy photo, but I can see that I may not be able to get any or many better shots.

"The world’s largest monkey, mandrills in the wild are found in the rainforests of equatorial Africa in countries such as Guinea, Nigeria and Cameroon. Known for the vivid red, blue and yellow markings on the muzzle and rump, mandrills also have long canine teeth that make a memorable impression. The monkeys are largely ground-dwelling omnivores that forage on grubs, eggs, fruit, leaves and reptiles, but they will climb trees for fun or for a safe place to sleep. Mature males can weigh up to 50 kg. and live up to about 25 years of age. Their colours also get brighter as they mature.

Males can appear aggressive when they flash their canines at one another, but that is really a sign of friendly communication common in their complex social hierarchies, said Celli. In fact, despite their striking looks, mandrills tend to be quite shy. Because the group at the zoo is all male, you won’t see any displays of bravado that signal mating behaviour, but you will see the younger males following the lead of their dominant oldest brother, Yusufu. Zoo curator, Dr. Malu Celli, said the adolescent younger brothers will copy his mannerisms and even his walk.

The trio were born in captivity in the Granby Zoo in Granby, Q.C. (Quebec) and were part of a family group there that had too many males. Celli said it is not unusual to find bachelor groups of mandrills in the wild, or males that hang out on the peripheries of a “super group.” From an article in the Calgary Herald on 16 May 2014.

www.calgaryherald.com/technology/things+know+about+colour...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandrill

It snowed again overnight and today the temperature is -13C (windchill -22C).