Baboons: Largest Monkeys on Earth
by Owen Omid Borville
June 25, 2020
Biology
Baboons are some of the largest monkeys on earth, weighing up to 82 pounds. There are five species of baboon that come from the savannas and woodlands of Africa and from the hills of southwest Arabia. Common features of baboons include long, dog-like muzzles, heavy, powerful jaws with sharp teeth, and short tails. They have relatively thick fur except on their face and buttocks.
Baboons don't always stay in trees and are ground dwelling, but sleep in trees or cliff tops to avoid predators such as crocodiles and big cats. Baboons are omnivorous and eat fruit, plants, insects, fish, rodents, birds, and other small animals. Sometimes they will eat a small antelope or even other monkeys.
Baboons can be aggressive toward other animals and humans. A baboon can become aggressive even through eye contact.
Baboon Troop Hierarchy
Baboons are social animals and families and groups stay together (also called troops). There is a hierarchy in the group which is usually dominated by a male baboon. When a baboon feels threatened, it becomes defensive. Groups of baboons have been known to number up to 300 members that will travel and sleep together, and look out for each other. Members communicate with each other using specialised vocalizations. Females in the troop inherit their social status from their mothers.
The top male in the troop is called the Alpha male and has outperformed other males in the troop for the position. This male takes care of the females and children in the troop. Sometimes the alpha male is killed by another male and this causes chaos within the troop.
Sometimes males will leave their troop for another troop, ousting the male leader of the new troop and killing its offspring. This is done so the male can mate with the female in the new troop while she isn't busy taking care of the offspring.
by Owen Omid Borville
June 25, 2020
Biology
Baboons are some of the largest monkeys on earth, weighing up to 82 pounds. There are five species of baboon that come from the savannas and woodlands of Africa and from the hills of southwest Arabia. Common features of baboons include long, dog-like muzzles, heavy, powerful jaws with sharp teeth, and short tails. They have relatively thick fur except on their face and buttocks.
Baboons don't always stay in trees and are ground dwelling, but sleep in trees or cliff tops to avoid predators such as crocodiles and big cats. Baboons are omnivorous and eat fruit, plants, insects, fish, rodents, birds, and other small animals. Sometimes they will eat a small antelope or even other monkeys.
Baboons can be aggressive toward other animals and humans. A baboon can become aggressive even through eye contact.
Baboon Troop Hierarchy
Baboons are social animals and families and groups stay together (also called troops). There is a hierarchy in the group which is usually dominated by a male baboon. When a baboon feels threatened, it becomes defensive. Groups of baboons have been known to number up to 300 members that will travel and sleep together, and look out for each other. Members communicate with each other using specialised vocalizations. Females in the troop inherit their social status from their mothers.
The top male in the troop is called the Alpha male and has outperformed other males in the troop for the position. This male takes care of the females and children in the troop. Sometimes the alpha male is killed by another male and this causes chaos within the troop.
Sometimes males will leave their troop for another troop, ousting the male leader of the new troop and killing its offspring. This is done so the male can mate with the female in the new troop while she isn't busy taking care of the offspring.
