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The sacred baboon lives in large groups among the rocky hills of northeastern Africa. The mature male grows to twice the size of the female and sports a distinctive silvery mane. The sacred baboon live in an extremely complex group divided into baboons, where each male has a harem. Within each band, there are recognized leaders who make decisions about where to look for food and how to deal with predators.
Habitat: The sacred baboon inhabits the rocky hill country of Ethiopia. Baboons spend more time on the ground than any other type of monkey. Its limbs are specially adapted to life on the ground, and it can run quickly on all fours. It does not climb very well, but will do so to reach fruit. The sacred baboon spends much of the day searching for food. At noon it may seek out a shady spot to rest. Adults nap or pick dirt from each other's fur; the young baboons wrestle and play.
At dusk, the baboon retreats to its sleeping site located high up on a steep cliff. Cliffs with suitable ledges are favored resting places because they provide some protection from the baboons main predator, the leopard. Suitable ledges are not easy to find, however each night as many as 750 baboons may gather together to sleep.
Breeding: The sacred baboon lives in a male dominated group, which is exceptional among baboons. Each group is divided into small bands consisting of one male and one to ten females. The male becomes sexually mature at age 7 years of ge. But before he can breed, he must fist establish a harem of females. Fining available females is difficult because every mature female in the group already belongs to another male who will fight fiercely to protect his harem. Grooming and playing are daily activities of the baboon group. The baboon prefers a fruit based diet, but eaters grass if noting else's available.
Food and Feeding: Early each morning, the baboon group breaks up into small foraging parties which climb down the cliffs and set off in search of food. The baboons must forage in small groups because the land is barren and food supplies are scattered. The scared baboon feeds mainly of fruit, which it picks from bushes and trees with the use of its relatively long thumbs. When fruit is not available, the baboon will eat large quantities of grass, which it tears up by the handful. During the dry season, the baboon may also dig up the tuberous roots of various deserts grasses of various desert grasses and flowers.
The sacred baboon's long, dog like jaws are packed with large molars which it uses to grind up tough and fibrous vegetation. The baboon also eats insects, lizards, snails, and other small invertebrates, and it will occasionally catch small mammals such as young gazelles and hares.
When searching for food, the yon g baboon usually stays close to its mother,. It learns from observation how to find food, how it should be broken apart of peeled, and which parts should be eaten. The mother will prevent her offspring from eating anything potentially harmful. When they are not with their parents, the young spend their time wrestling or playing.
Key Facts:
Sizes
Length: Head and body, 24-30 in. Tall,
15-24 in.
Weight: Males, 40 lbs, Females 20 pounds
Breeding:
Sexual Maturity: Males; 7 years. Females:
5 years
Breeding Season: Year round.
Gestation: 170-173 days.
No. of young: Usually 1
Lifestyle
Habit: Social, day active
Diet: Fruits, grasses, roots, lizards,
insects, occasionally small mammals.
Lifespan: Maximum in captivity: 371/2
years
Related Species: The five other species
in the genus Papio included the olive baboon P. cynocephalus, with which
P. hamadryas interbreeds.
Distribution: Found chiefly throughout
easter Ethiopia, northern Somalia and on both sides of the Red Sea in Suadi
Ardia, Yemen, and South Yemen.
Conservation: Although direct conflict
with man and the loss of some habitat has reduced it strange somewhat,
the sacred baboon is still numerous and widespread.
Behavioral Habits of the Sacred Baboon
Pair Bonding: An adult male has a harem
of up to 10 females. He uses neck bites and vocal threats to retain control
over each female but will also protect her from predators.
Social Behavior: The baboon lives in strictly
organized groups. In the heat of the day, it will seek out shade and groom
the fur of other baboons.
Parental care: The young stays with its
mother for up to 18 months, during which time it is taught how and what
to eat.
Did you know:
An old male baboon who has his harem stallion
often loses his sliver hare and grows brown fur like the female.
The Secret Baboon's colorful, furless buttocks
are believed to help group members keep sight of each others when moving
though thick vegetation.
the male sacred baboon may occasionally mate
with a female olive baboon and produce fertile offspring. The male olive
baboon, however, never mates with a female sacred baboon because it lacks
the ability to attract her.
Sacred baboons will raid a crop field in which
woman are working, but will stay clear of those in which men are working,
since they may be armed.
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