Baboons

Papio species

There are several different kinds of baboons, including the Savanna, Hamadryas, and Chacma Baboons. These monkeys travel in large, energetic troops with a number of adult males, as well as females and young. Males are up to twice the size of females, powerfully built, and with long, sharp fangs. Baboons spend the day on the ground looking for food and the night sleeping in trees or on cliffs. Several Hamadryas Baboon troops sometimes come together at night at a safe cliff, with as many as 750 individuals sharing the sleeping area.

Look For : A large monkey with a long snout, a heavy brow, and close-set eyes. Rough fur ranges from gray to brown to yellow-brown. Some have thick fur around head and neck forming a "mane." Female has swollen red to pink rear end.

Length : Body 20-32" long, tail 14-30" long; 26-57 lb., male larger than female.

Habitat : Savannas, plains, dry grasslands, forest edges, mountain meadows.

Range : Africa, south of the Sahara.