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Baboon

The baboon is part of the species that have descended from the Primate order and are natives of the African continent.

Their physical features include dog-like noses, close-set eyes, thick fur, powerful jaws, a short tail, and distinctive protruding buttocks. Baboons are known to be incredibly intelligent and are even described as cunning. This in turn makes them interesting animals to observe as their actions can at times be likened to those of humans! The baboon tends to be a ground dweller and their habitats are usually in open savannahs, hills, and woodlands.

Considered omnivorous, the diet of the baboon is mainly vegetarian, with them being able to consume insects, fish, hares, small antelopes, and even birds. Its principle predators are cheetahs and leopards, although leopards do find them difficult to prey on. Most baboons live in a hierarchical social system, with groups varying between 5 to 250 members; there will always be more than one dominant male, but there is only one supreme male leader amongst groups.

The mating behaviour of a baboon varies depending on the social structure of its troop with females typically giving birth every other year after having a gestation period of 6 months before birthing a single infant. The newborn usually weighs about 1kg and is black in colour at the time of their birth; the babies are cared for primarily by their mothers, although the other females in the troop tend to share maternal duties for all the offspring.

Of all the primates in Africa, the baboon is the one that interacts most with humans; however because of their crafty natures they tend to be quite pesky at the picnic spots.