Baboon

Baboons include five species—chacma, olive, yellow, Guinea, and hamadryas—spread across Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Stocky bodies, doglike muzzles, and strong limbs allow them to travel long distances on all fours. Large grooming pads on their rumps cushion hours of sitting on rocky outcrops where they scan for predators. Males can weigh more than 30 kilograms and sport long canine teeth used for defense and dominance displays.

Troop sizes vary from 20 individuals in arid zones to 150 or more near rich river valleys. Social life revolves around matrilines, or female family lines, that stay together for life. Females build alliances through grooming, while males transfer between troops as they mature. Dominance hierarchies influence feeding order, access to shade, and support during fights. Baboons communicate with eyebrow flashes, barks, grunts, and tail postures that reveal mood.

Omnivorous diets let baboons exploit many habitats. They graze on grasses, dig up bulbs, strip bark, and hunt insects, fish, or even small antelopes when opportunities arise. Their dexterous fingers pry open seeds and unroll prickly pear pads without getting spines. At night, troops climb cliffs or tall trees to sleep beyond the reach of lions and leopards.

Human development creates both challenges and opportunities. Baboons raid crops and garbage, causing conflict with farmers and tourists. Yet they also serve as indicators of ecosystem health, and many parks depend on them to attract visitors. Conservation programs encourage baboon-proof storage, waste management, and education campaigns that reduce feeding by humans. Research teams use GPS collars to understand how expanding towns alter troop ranges and stress levels.