Index > Mammals:
Chacma Baboon (Papio ursinus)
THE HERBIVORES AND OMNIVORES
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A definite favorite with children, baboons - with their sometimes almost human behavior and expressions - can provide endless entertainment, and the playful antics of young baboons can be particularly amusing.
Social animals, they are found in troops 10 to 30 strong, and a definite 'pecking order' determines the status of each member in the social hierarchy. Generally, a dominant male, known as the alpha male, is the leader and has the best choice of females and food. Immediately below him, follow a number of large aggressive males, who serve as the protectors of the troop. They will feed and roam on the outskirts of the community, always ready to warn or defend the others against danger. Lower down, in a more loosely arranged hierarchy, follow the younger males, females, and infants. Baboons higher up in the hierarchy, especially the older, surly males, generally will not tolerate any challenge to their authority or position by those of lower status. Exceptions are always found, however, and the infants can usually approach and play with the large males or any of the other members of the troop without fear of reprisal.
Highly intelligent animals, baboons have a very strong protective instinct towards their young. If an infant has been injured the members of the troop will rally around and carry it, never leaving it be hind. When an infant is threatened or held by a predator, the large males will fearlessly charge and make desperate attempts to save it. The maternal bond particularly is very strong, and on several occasions mother baboons have been seen carrying babies which have been dead for several days - unwilling to accept the loss.
Males have a very loud, deep-crested 'whaa-hoo' bark, used either as a sign of assertiveness, to intimidate intruders, or as a warning of impending danger. On the other hand, young baboons have a high- pitched shriek with which they voice their fear when reprimanded or chased by another member of the troop.
Baboons are common and often found along the edges of the riverine forest adjoining the major rivers. Most of the daylight is spent looking for insects, berries, and other tidbits on the ground. Occasionally they will climb a tree to forage for fruit, birds' eggs, or succulent twigs. To wards dusk they move closer to the river and spend the night resting on some comfortable branch high in a tree. Nocturnal disturbances are frequent, however, giving rise to a great but temporary hullabaloo.
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