Class Mammalia (mammal)
phylum Chordata,
subphylum Vertebrata,
order Primates
family Cercopithecidae
Shoulder height -
29 in (72.5 cm)(male) 24 in (60 cm) (female)
Tail 22 to 34 in (56-84 cm),
Adult weight - Male 59-97 lb (27-44 kg), Female wt 31 37 lb (14
17 kg)
Age at sexual maturity - 4 1/2 to 5 years
Diet - includes an enormous variety of plants grasses (the mainstay
in typical savanna habitats), tubers, bulbs, roots, leaves, buds, flowers,
fruits, seeds, shoots, twigs, bark, sap, aquatic plants, mushrooms,
and lichens. Even when grasses are dry and so low in protein that ruminants
lose condition, baboons, like warthogs, dig up and eat the nutritious
corms and rhizomes. Invertebrates such as grasshoppers, spiders, and
scorpions are important dietary supplement, especially under arid conditions;
also fresh and saltwater shellfish. Vertebrate prey, taken opportunistically,
includes lizards, turtles, frogs, fish, eggs and young of nesting birds,
crocodile eggs, small rodents, hares, and antelopes still in the hiding
stage
Predators- where lions, spotted hyenas, and leopards
Mating season - Nonseasonal, but conceptions peak during rains,
when baboons are fittest.
Gestation period - 6 months
No of young - 1 - 2
Taxonomically baboons are long-tailed monkeys, possessing heads with long, naked, dog-like muzzles. Some species have patches of bright red, blue or purple skin on their face, chest, or rump.
Adult males are up to 80 cm long and reach weights up to 25 kg.
There's a significant sexual dimorphism - females are much smaller than males.
They prefer grasslands but also can be found in habitats with sparse forests and bushes. Most of all they are vegetarians that feed on grass, herbs, seeds, fruits, roots, leaves and nuts. But they also take animal supplementary diet like invertebrates and young birds. Some baboon groups even hunt on small mammals up to the size of gazelles. Baboons are very social animals living in large groups. Baboon groups consist of animals of both genders and all ages.
Watch a baboon -
Click here for video
Watch
baboons - Click here for video
During the day baboons wander about in search of food. At the end of the day they've done about 20 km or more sometimes. Baboons spend the night in trees or on rocks, where they are more safe from their predators than on the ground. Among the baboons' most dangerous predators are Leopards, African hunting dogs and Lions. Also snakes and raptors hunt on small baboons. But baboons are not defenceless. Adult males form "combat groups" which are able to defend their group even against Leopards. Confronting themselves with the attacker the large males create opportunities for the females and young baboons to retire.
Baboons live in well-organized troops, and the individual is only secure within his own troop. Large, dominant males rule the group and are responsible for keeping order between quarrelsome members and for protecting the group from predators. Their principal enemy is the leopard, but even leopards will avoid an encounter with the larger, adult males who are courageous and vicious adversaries.
Baboons walk on all four limbs, with their tails held in a characteristic arch. Their brain size is similar to a dog.
