The Baboon Page
Genesis Zoological Center Inc.
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The five baboon species are some of the largest non-hominid members of the primate order; only the Mandrill and the Drill are
larger. In modern scientific use, only members of the genus Papio are called baboons, but previously the closely related Gelada
(genus Theropithecus) and two species of Mandrill and Drill (genus Mandrillus) were grouped in the same genus, and these
monkeys are still often referred to as baboons in everyday speech. The word "baboon" comes from "babouin", the name given to
them by the French naturalist Buffon. Papio belongs to family Cercopithecidae, in subfamily Cercopithecinae.
Physiology
All baboons have long dog-like muzzles (cynocephalus = dog-head), close-set eyes, heavy powerful jaws, thick fur except on their
muzzle, a short tail and rough spots on their protruding hindquarters, called ischial callosities. These callouses are nerveless,
hairless pads of skin which are present to 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 colour
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.
Society
Most baboons live in hierarchical troops of 5 to 250 animals (50 or so is common), depending on specific circumstances, especially
species and time of year. The structure within the troop varies considerably between Hamadryas Baboons and the remaining
species, sometimes collectively referred to as Savannah baboons. The Hamadryas Baboon has very large groups comprised of
many smaller harems (one male with four or so females), to which females from elsewhere in the troop are recruited while still too
young to breed. The other baboon species have a more promiscuous structure with a strict dominance hierarchy based on the
female matriline. The Hamadryas Baboon group will typically include a younger male, but he will not attempt to mate with the females
unless the older male is removed.
Baboons can determine from vocal exchanges what the dominance relations between individuals are. When a confrontation occurs
between different families or where a lower-ranking baboon takes the offensive, baboons show more interest in the exchange than
exchanges between members of the same family or when a higher-ranking baboon takes the offensive. This is because
confrontations between different families or rank challenges can have a wider impact on the whole troop than an internal conflict in a
family or a baboon reinforcing its dominance.[1]
The collective noun for baboons is commonly troop or congress, although flange is also becoming common. This unusual term
originates from a Not the Nine O'Clock News comedy sketch entitled "Gerald The Intelligent Gorilla" where it was used for comic
effect.[2]
Mating and birth
Baboon mating behavior varies greatly depending on the social structure. In the mixed groups of savannah baboons, each male can
mate with any female. The allowed mating order among the males depends partially on the ranking, and fights between males are
not unusual.
There are however more subtle possibilities; males sometimes try to win the friendship of females. To garner this friendship, they
may help groom the female, help care for her young, or supply them with food. Some females clearly prefer such friendly males as
mates.
A female initiates mating by presenting her swollen rump to the male. But 'presenting' can also be used as a submissive gesture and
is observed in males as well.
In the harems of the Hamadryas Baboon, the males jealously guard their females, to the point of grabbing and biting the females
when they wander too far away. Despite this, some males will raid harems for females. In such situations it often comes to aggressive
fights by the males. Some males succeed in taking a female from another's harem. This is called a 'takeover'.
Females typically give birth every other year, usually to a single infant, after a six month gestation. The young baboon weighs
approximately one kilogram and is colored black. The females tend to be the primary caretaker of the young, although several
females will share the duties for all of their offspring.
In mixed groups males sometimes help in caring for the young of the females they are friendly with, for instance they gather food for
them and play with them. The probability is high that those young are their offspring. After about one year, the young animals are
weaned. They reach sexual maturity in five to eight years.
In baboons males leave their birth group, usually before they reach sexual maturity, whereas females are 'philopatric' and stay in the
same group their whole life.
larger. In modern scientific use, only members of the genus Papio are called baboons, but previously the closely related Gelada
(genus Theropithecus) and two species of Mandrill and Drill (genus Mandrillus) were grouped in the same genus, and these
monkeys are still often referred to as baboons in everyday speech. The word "baboon" comes from "babouin", the name given to
them by the French naturalist Buffon. Papio belongs to family Cercopithecidae, in subfamily Cercopithecinae.
Physiology
All baboons have long dog-like muzzles (cynocephalus = dog-head), close-set eyes, heavy powerful jaws, thick fur except on their
muzzle, a short tail and rough spots on their protruding hindquarters, called ischial callosities. These callouses are nerveless,
hairless pads of skin which are present to 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 colour
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.
Society
Most baboons live in hierarchical troops of 5 to 250 animals (50 or so is common), depending on specific circumstances, especially
species and time of year. The structure within the troop varies considerably between Hamadryas Baboons and the remaining
species, sometimes collectively referred to as Savannah baboons. The Hamadryas Baboon has very large groups comprised of
many smaller harems (one male with four or so females), to which females from elsewhere in the troop are recruited while still too
young to breed. The other baboon species have a more promiscuous structure with a strict dominance hierarchy based on the
female matriline. The Hamadryas Baboon group will typically include a younger male, but he will not attempt to mate with the females
unless the older male is removed.
Baboons can determine from vocal exchanges what the dominance relations between individuals are. When a confrontation occurs
between different families or where a lower-ranking baboon takes the offensive, baboons show more interest in the exchange than
exchanges between members of the same family or when a higher-ranking baboon takes the offensive. This is because
confrontations between different families or rank challenges can have a wider impact on the whole troop than an internal conflict in a
family or a baboon reinforcing its dominance.[1]
The collective noun for baboons is commonly troop or congress, although flange is also becoming common. This unusual term
originates from a Not the Nine O'Clock News comedy sketch entitled "Gerald The Intelligent Gorilla" where it was used for comic
effect.[2]
Mating and birth
Baboon mating behavior varies greatly depending on the social structure. In the mixed groups of savannah baboons, each male can
mate with any female. The allowed mating order among the males depends partially on the ranking, and fights between males are
not unusual.
There are however more subtle possibilities; males sometimes try to win the friendship of females. To garner this friendship, they
may help groom the female, help care for her young, or supply them with food. Some females clearly prefer such friendly males as
mates.
A female initiates mating by presenting her swollen rump to the male. But 'presenting' can also be used as a submissive gesture and
is observed in males as well.
In the harems of the Hamadryas Baboon, the males jealously guard their females, to the point of grabbing and biting the females
when they wander too far away. Despite this, some males will raid harems for females. In such situations it often comes to aggressive
fights by the males. Some males succeed in taking a female from another's harem. This is called a 'takeover'.
Females typically give birth every other year, usually to a single infant, after a six month gestation. The young baboon weighs
approximately one kilogram and is colored black. The females tend to be the primary caretaker of the young, although several
females will share the duties for all of their offspring.
In mixed groups males sometimes help in caring for the young of the females they are friendly with, for instance they gather food for
them and play with them. The probability is high that those young are their offspring. After about one year, the young animals are
weaned. They reach sexual maturity in five to eight years.
In baboons males leave their birth group, usually before they reach sexual maturity, whereas females are 'philopatric' and stay in the
same group their whole life.
Sara
and play basketball. She has been with Genesis for
over 8 years. She came to us from a facility in N.
Florida who could no longer care for her. Her favorite
food is corn on the cob (not cooked).
and play basketball. She has been with Genesis for
over 8 years. She came to us from a facility in N.
Florida who could no longer care for her. Her favorite
food is corn on the cob (not cooked).