Baboon Facts

Baboon Facts

Papio hamadryas  

The baboons are some of the largest non-hominid members of the primate order; only the Mandrill and the Drill are larger. Baboons have long dog like muzzles, close set eyes, heavy powerful jaws, thick fur except on their muzzle, a short tail and rough spots on their rear ends called ischial callosities. These calluses are nerveless, hairless pads of skin which provide for the sitting comfort of the baboon (and other Old World monkeys). Males of the Hamadryas Baboon species also have a large white mane. There is considerable variation in size and weight depending on species. The Chacma Baboon can be 120 cm (47 inches) and weigh 40 kg (90 lb) while the biggest Guinea Baboon is 50 cm (20 inches) and weighs only 14 kg (30 lb). In all baboon species there is pronounced sexual dimorphism, usually in size but also sometimes in color or canine development.

Baboons are terrestrial (ground dwelling) and are found in savanna, open woodland and hills across Africa. Their diet is omnivorous, but is usually vegetarian. They are foragers and are active at irregular times throughout the day and night. They can raid human dwellings and in South Africa they have been known to prey on sheep and goats. Their principal predators are man and the leopard, although they are tough prey for a leopard and large males will often confront them. Baboons in captivity have been known to live up to 45 years, while in the wild their life expectancy is about 30 years.

Adult males are much larger than the females and have a long, silvery cape. Females are olive brown and infants are black. Both sexes have a bright pink face and bottom. These animals form large troops,composed of dozens or even hundreds of baboons, governed by a complex hierarchy. Unlike other species, the male baboons remain with the clan while females leave to join another, the male’s ownership of a ‘family’ is passed down to his male offspring.

Males use shows of physical power to dominate rivals and troop members spend endless hours carefully grooming one another to remove insects and dead skin. Grooming is very important for maintaining the social bond. Less dominant members do a greater proportion of the grooming.

A male baboon ‘yawns’ as a threat display to show off its canines which can be up to 4 cm long. Baboons are opportunistic eaters. They eat fruits, grasses, seeds, bark and roots, but also have a taste for meat. They eat birds, rodents, and even the young of larger mammals such as antelopes and sheep.

Like other Old World monkeys, baboons do not have prehensile tails. But they can and do climb trees to sleep, eat, or look out for trouble. Though they do spend much of their time on the ground.