home

The Chacma or bear baboon is one of the most dangerous primates. Among baboons and green monkeys, the largest monkey in the group of baboons

Residents of Africa are sure that the baboon is more dangerous than the leopard. The opinion was drawn from close encounters with these evil, nosy, pugnacious and cunning monkeys, who constantly appear in crime reports.

Description of the baboon

From the point of view of most zoologists, the genus Papio (baboons) includes five species of primates from the family Ape - anubis, baboon, hamadryas, Guinea baboon and bear baboon (chacma). Some scientists, confident that the division into five is incorrect, combine all varieties into one group.

Appearance

Males are almost 2 times larger than their females, and the most representative among Papio is the bear baboon, growing up to 1.2 m with a weight of 40 kg. The Guinea baboon is recognized as the smallest, its height does not exceed half a meter and weighs only 14 kg..

The color of the fur varies (depending on the species) from brown to grayish-silver. All primates are distinguished by strong jaws with sharp fangs and close-set eyes. A female baboon cannot be confused with a male - males have more impressive fangs and noticeable white manes adorning their heads. There is no hair on the face, and the skin is colored black or pink.

Important! There is no fur on the buttocks, but this part of the body is equipped with pronounced ischial calluses. With the onset of the breeding season, the buttocks of females swell and become red.

The tail of baboons looks like an even column, curved and raised at the base, and then hangs freely downwards.

Lifestyle

The life of baboons is full of hardships and dangers: they constantly have to be on guard, periodically starve and experience excruciating thirst. Most For days, baboons roam the ground, leaning on all fours and sometimes climbing trees. To survive, primates have to unite into large herds of up to forty relatives. About six males, twice as many females, and their children together can coexist in a group.

With the arrival of twilight, monkeys settle down to sleep, climbing higher - on the same trees or rocks. Females tend to surround their leaders. They go to bed while sitting, which is greatly facilitated by elastic sciatic calluses, which allow them to not notice the inconvenience of the chosen position for a long time. They set off on their journey during the day, in a well-organized community, at the center of which are the alpha male and mothers with cubs. They are accompanied and guarded by younger males, who are the first to take the blow in case of danger and ensure that the females do not break away from the herd.

This is interesting! Growing young animals from time to time try to overthrow the dominant male, running into fights. The struggle for power knows no compromises: the loser obeys the leader and shares with him the most delicious prey.

The battle for leadership is rarely fought alone. To cope with a super-aggressive and strong dominant male, subdominant ones create temporary fighting alliances. This makes sense - males classified as low-ranking get sick more often and die earlier. In general, baboons have a good ability to adapt to the world and remarkable endurance, which allows them to live for quite a long time. IN wildlife these monkeys live up to 30 years, in zoos - up to about 45.

Range, habitats

The homeland of the baboon is almost the entire endless African continent, divided into areas individual species. The baboon is found in the territory from Angola to South Africa and Kenya, the baboon and anubis live somewhat to the north, inhabiting the equatorial regions of Africa from east to west. A slightly less wide range is occupied by the two remaining species: the Guinea baboon lives in Cameroon, Guinea and Senegal, and the hamadryas inhabits Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia and part of the Arabian Peninsula (Aden region).

Baboons are well adapted to life in savannas, semi-deserts and woodlands, and in last years began to oppress people, settling closer and closer to human habitation. Monkeys become not only annoying, but also arrogant neighbors.

This is interesting! The predatory tendencies of baboons were noted back in the middle of the last century, when they stole food from the inhabitants of the Cape Peninsula (South Africa), ravaged plantations and exterminated livestock.

According to Justin O'Ryan, a worker in the baboon research section, his charges learned to break windows, open doors and even dismantle tile roofs. But contact between monkeys and humans is dangerous for both sides - baboons bite and scratch, and people kill them. To keep the primates in their traditional habitats, rangers control the movements of the herd by marking the animals with paint from paintball rifles.

Baboon diet

Monkeys prefer plant food, but on occasion they will not refuse animal food. In search of suitable provisions, they cover from 20 to 60 km per day, merging (thanks to the color of their coat) with the main background of the area.

The diet of baboons contains:

fruits, rhizomes and tubers;
seeds and grass;
shellfish and fish;
insects;
birds;
hares;
young antelopes.

But baboons have long been dissatisfied with the gifts of nature - the tailed sneaks have become adept at stealing food from cars, houses and garbage cans. IN southern regions In Africa, these monkeys increasingly hunt livestock (sheep and goats).

This is interesting! Every year the appetite of primates grows: observation of 16 groups bear baboons showed that only one group is content with grazing, and the rest have long since retrained as raiders.

The merciless African sun, which dries up small rivers, forces us to find alternative sources of water. Monkeys have trained themselves to get moisture by digging up the bottom of dry reservoirs..

Natural enemies

Predators avoid mature baboons, especially those walking in a large herd, but they will not miss the chance to attack a female, weakened or young primate.

On open space The herd is constantly under threat of attack from natural enemies such as:

leopard;
spotted hyena;
jackal and red wolf;
hyena dogs;
Nile crocodile;
(rarely).

Young males walking along the edges of the herd continuously monitor the area and, seeing the enemy, line up in a crescent to cut him off from their relatives. A signal of danger is an alarming bark, upon hearing which, females with their cubs huddle together, and the males step forward.

They look quite terrifying - their evil grin and raised fur clearly hint at their readiness for a merciless battle. The predator, who did not heed the threat, quickly feels on his own skin how harmoniously the baboon army acts, and usually retreats ingloriously.

Reproduction and offspring

Not every male gets access to the female’s body at the beginning of the mating season: the lower the status and age of the applicant, the lower his chances of reciprocity. Unlimited sexual intercourse can only be had by a dominant male, who has the preferential right to mate with any partner in the herd.

Polygamy

In this regard, the results of observations that were carried out in open-air conditions are very interesting. Biologists found out how the age of a male correlates with polygamy, or more precisely, with the likelihood of acquiring his own harem. It was found that all 4-6 year old baboons who entered childbearing age were still single. Only a single seven-year-old male had a harem consisting of one wife.

This is interesting! Enclosure baboons who reached the age of 9 years received the privilege of polygamy, and over the next 3–4 years the right to an individual harem continued to strengthen.

In the category of 9–11 year old baboons, already half became polygamists, and the heyday of polygamy occurred at the age of 12–14 years. Thus, among 12-year-old monkeys, 80% of individuals used personal harems. And finally, the most extensive harems (compared to younger age categories) had baboons who crossed the threshold of 13 and 14 years. But the harems of 15-year-old males began to gradually crumble.

Birth of offspring

Baboons often fight for females, and in some species they do not leave her even after successful sexual intercourse - they obtain food, deliver births and help care for newborns. Pregnancy lasts from 154 to 183 days and ends with the birth of a single calf weighing approximately 0.4 kg. The baby, with a pink muzzle and black fur, clings to its mother's belly in order to travel with its mother, at the same time feeding on her milk. Having grown stronger, the child moves onto his back, stopping feeding with milk by the age of 6 months.

When a baboon is 4 months old, its face darkens and its fur becomes somewhat lighter, acquiring gray or brown tones. The final species coloration usually appears by the age of one year. Weaned primates form a kin group, reaching fertility no earlier than 3–5 years. Young females always remain with their mother, and males tend to leave the herd without waiting for puberty.

A newborn baboon first clings tightly to the fur on its mother's chest. When he grows up a little, he will move onto her back. Over time, the baby begins to go downstairs more and more often to play with his peers.

Native to Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula, these intelligent animals live in large family groups with a strict hierarchical system.

Baboons belong to the superfamily of canine-like creatures. narrow-nosed monkeys, consisting of two families. In addition to the baboon, monkeys include the common macaque, the black-crested Sulawesi baboon, the mandrill and drill, the gelada, the mapgobay or black-faced monkey, and the red hussar monkey. The family of slender-bodied monkeys consists of langurs, rhinopithecus, short-nosed slender-bodied monkeys, pygatrix, thick-bodied monkeys or gwerets. The superfamily of the lower narrow-nosed monkeys, together with the superfamily of anthropoid primates, constitute one group of narrow-nosed monkeys, or Old World monkeys. Apes include the gibbon, orangutan, chimpanzee, gorilla and human. Related species baboons: chacma. or the bear baboon, yellow baboon, or baboon, anubis and sphinx, or Guinea baboon. All types have several inlets.

Today, baboons are common in Africa and the south of the Arabian Peninsula, but in glacial period they also lived in India and China. Baboons are inhabitants of the steppes and savannas of Africa; Moreover, they are also found in savanna forests and mountainous areas.

Elongated muzzle, large cheek pouches and a long nose Baboons gave rise to the nickname “dog-headed monkeys.” The strong teeth of these animals allow them to cope with a wide variety of foods.

Dimensions

The size of baboons varies widely: from the tiny Guinea baboon to the large South African baboon (chacma). Except great apes and humans, the largest primates are found among baboons (height - from 51 to 114 cm, tail length - from 5 to 71 cm, body weight - 14-54 kg). The baboon's head is disproportionately massive in relation to the rest of the body. Baboons have a long snout, long nose and large cheek pouches, which is why they are called "dog-headed monkeys", as well as small, deep-set eyes and small ears. Males, which usually have a magnificent bright mantle of long hair, much larger than females. The hair on other parts of the body is usually less dense. The ischial calluses consist of two smooth, hairless, pink cushions covered with thickened, keratinized skin. In females ready for mating, the ischial calluses often grow and become brightly colored.

Baboons are omnivores, and their diet contains both plant (fruits, bulbs, etc.) and animal (insects, small vertebrates) food. They can be good hunters: Large males are able to catch even a gazelle. 32 fully formed teeth and powerful long fangs allow it to cope with a wide variety of foods.

Baboons lead a terrestrial lifestyle, climbing trees only when sleeping or in case of danger. Baboons are well adapted to life on land: unlike tree monkeys and other terrestrial primates such as chimpanzees and gorillas, their forelimbs and hindlimbs are almost the same length. The broad, massive feet and hands have well-developed thumbs. Most monkeys walk on their hind limbs, while baboons often walk on all four. When walking, they either rest on flat soles or elevate their wrists and ankles, which makes walking much easier and faster. Baboons' tails are not designed for grasping, so they do not cling to branches when climbing trees.

Night on the tree

Baboons often climb trees during the day in order to inspect the area or when enemies appear.

Baboons are not usually afraid of people. In national parks, animals happily accept food from the hands of tourists; the most impatient gourmands sometimes steal food.

Night is the hunting time for many large predators, so baboons sleep on the top branches of the most tall trees. Since they are able to sit and even sleep on very thin branches, an entire group can occupy just a few trees. Baboons always climb up before sunset and stay there until dawn. It is believed that the animals sleep in turns, providing protection to the entire flock. The exception is the hamadryas living in mountainous areas, which sleep on rock ledges.

Life next to a person

Unlike most large wild animals, baboons often settle not far from human habitation, making periodic raids on agricultural land.

The main enemy of baboons is the leopard, which is exterminated by poachers because of its valuable fur; in such areas, the number of baboons increases sharply as a result of a disruption in the natural balance that regulates the number of species in nature.

Baboons are social animals, living in flocks of 40-60 individuals. Relationships between group members are based on a hierarchical chain of command. The dominant position is occupied by strong adult males (leaders). By uniting, flocks can roam in large groups of 200-300 individuals. Baboons feel safe only within a pack, so not a single animal dares to live on its own. Within a community, separate groups can be formed based on different social relations and certain personal characteristics.

Habitat

A herd of baboons often lives on quite large territory(5-15 km), which can be shared with other related groups. Flocks are occasionally found - usually only near a non-drying source of water at the end of the dry season. Various groups, although they show mutual interest, as a rule, do not mix and do not show hostility towards each other.

In the ranks of the baboon community, order is always maintained during movement. Subordinate strong males and sometimes juveniles lead the column; they are followed by young animals and older females. In the center are the females with their cubs, as well as most of the leaders. The back rows are lined up like a vanguard, which allows for permanent protection females and cubs. No matter where the predator approaches, it will be met by an adult male. If the enemy manages to get close enough, the males will be between him and the fleeing females with their cubs, trying to protect their fellow tribesmen.

Grooming not only keeps the coat clean, but also promotes social interaction between members of the baboon troop. Females clean the new mother and her baby especially carefully.

Baboons are not afraid of most animals. The only exceptions are lions and leopards, at the sight of which primates quickly climb trees. Usually, baboons only at the last moment get out of the way of such large animals as elephants and rhinoceroses, knowing that they are not in danger.

Peaceful coexistence

Baboons generally coexist peacefully with many species and often graze alongside antelope, zebra, giraffe and buffalo, benefiting both parties. Thus, on the open plain, baboons are often found next to impala antelope, and bushbuck antelope stay in the forest. The keen sense of smell of antelopes warns primates of danger; in turn, baboons have keen eyesight and constantly look around while eating. When a predator appears, the baboon emits a warning signal that is also perceived by other animals.

When threatened, the baboon (like the gelada in this photo) bares its teeth. When the mouth is closed, the upper fangs fit into the gaps between the lower teeth.

Likewise, an alarm call from an antelope causes baboons to flee. This interaction is especially useful near a body of water, where dense vegetation significantly reduces horizons.

When resting or eating, a herd of baboons is divided into small groups, usually consisting of two females and cubs different ages or an adult male with one or more females and cubs who constantly groom his fur. Small groups can survive during migrations. Unlike other animals, in which the leader constantly leads and protects the flock, baboons themselves stay close to the leader.

Baboons have a very strict hierarchy. The leaders enjoy a privileged position: they are most often cleaned, they are offered food first, etc. When the leader approaches the subordinate male, the latter moves aside. Leaders usually stick together, so they can always come to each other's aid if other members of the group try to break out of submission. As a result, even a large and strong male will not be able to cope with a weaker leader.

Hamadryas, or "sacred baboons", are often classified as a separate subgenus. They live in small groups (1 adult male, 1 to 9 females and young) in open mountainous areas.

Social grooming

Grooming - social form behavior in monkeys, expressed in picking and cleaning the fur of another individual. Most often this is done by adult females.

A young mother grooms her baby from birth. Females clean the cubs of other females, juveniles, adult males and females. Adult females and young baboons gather to groom a new mother and her baby. With the help of grooming, the cubs begin to distinguish between their fellow tribesmen and their social status.

Grooming not only preserves the integrity of the flock, but also helps maintain the cleanliness and health of its members. Thus, ticks, which are very common in the tropics, rarely infect baboons.

Three yellow baboons quench their thirst in a stream. At the end of the dry season, several flocks of baboons are usually found near non-dry bodies of water.

The only cub

A female baboon, after a pregnancy lasting an average of 170-195 days, usually gives birth to one cub; Twins are extremely rare. An adult female, provided that she is not pregnant and is not nursing a calf, is ready to mate within every fourth week. During this period, her ischial calluses swell and turn red. Before mating, females leave their groups and wean their young. One male and one female form a pair that can exist from several hours to several days, and during mating season males court only one female. The newborn clings to the fur on the mother's chest, from where after some time it moves onto its back. At first he holds on tightly to the fur, but later sits up straight. Having switched to solid food, the cub increasingly begins to leave its mother to play with its peers.

The cubs' games prepare them for adult life. Young baboons often climb trees and chase each other, grabbing each other and rolling on the ground. Adults keep a close eye on them, not allowing the fun to get too far. aggressive character. If one of the cubs screams in pain, the adult baboon will immediately stop such play.

Did you know?
Studying the life of baboons allows scientists to learn more about the development of human society. Steppe baboons live in the same areas where our ancestors lived. Baboon groups are very similar to communities of primitive people.
Baboons that constantly live near humans can pose a certain danger. In national parks, animals are accustomed to being fed by tourists. To the security guards national park in Uganda, they even had to kill one baboon, which began to sneak up on fishermen and steal food, causing serious injuries to people. There are also cases where baboons pulled a child out of a stroller and killed it, bit two women to death, and also seriously injured children.
Hamadryas, which some zoologists consider to be a separate subgenus, are unlike other baboons. They do not form large communities, but live in groups consisting of one adult male, 1 to 9 females and cubs. Hamadryas sleep on rock ledges, and in the evening several groups of up to 750 individuals can gather on the rock. During the day, the flock breaks up and meets again only in the evening.
Female baboons were often used to herd goats. One farmer taught a young female to watch her goats and bring them back from the pasture in the evening. At the same time, the baboons knew and performed their duties well.

baboon anubis, or Doger's baboon (Papio anubis) - primate species monkey family (Cercopithecidae). The specific name is given for external resemblance monkeys with images of the ancient Egyptian god Anubis, often with a dog's head. Previously, along with the bear and Guinea baboons, it was considered a type of baboon. It is noted that anubis can interbreed with baboons.

Anubis fur has various brownish-olive shades. The muzzle is black and lacks fur. Females weigh from 14 to 20 kg and their body length is approximately 60 cm. Males weigh from 24 to 32 kg and their body length is approximately 74 cm.

Difference baboons is the so-called bare “genital skin”, which changes its color depending on the amount of sex hormones in the blood. Therefore, during the breeding season, baboons that have reached puberty have a pronounced red “gender skin” color.

The habitat of Anubis is mainly the savannas of Africa (in northern Tanzania and from Mali to Ethiopia). Availability drinking water- this is the primary factor that determines the possibility of baboons living in a certain environment.

The diet of anubis is quite varied and includes fruits, plants, roots and tubers. They also hunt insects, small mammals, birds and reptiles. At night, anubises climb trees, and during the day they lead a fairly active terrestrial lifestyle.

In males, sexual maturity occurs at the age of 60-80 months, and in females at 54 months. Females give birth to cubs approximately once every two years. The first time a female becomes a mother is between the ages of 4 and 8 years. Male cubs, having matured, leave the group, and daughters support long term relationship with Mother. Family groups can number 8-200 individuals, but generally their numbers range from 30 to 60 individuals. There are more females in the group than males. Social relationships are built along the maternal line.

In captivity, Anubis live up to 20 years, and in natural environment Their life expectancy is from 12 to 15 years. Over the past decade, the number of Anubis in Ethiopia has decreased by 70%, so this type included in Annex II of the Convention on international trade(CITES).

Anubis are widespread and have adapted to humans to a certain extent. Groups of baboons sometimes enter plantations and fields, destroying them. Because of this, they are often hunted. In some areas they are threatened by habitat destruction, but overall they are not considered threatened by the IUCN.

Reproduction of articles and photographs is permitted only with a hyperlink to the site:

This monkey has distinctive feature– her face is very similar to a dog’s. All representatives of the genus have one habitat - the southern part of Africa, beyond the Sahara Desert.

The hamadryas, which is a type of baboon, is also found in the Arabian Peninsula. It is believed that they were brought there by people in ancient times. In the opinion of experts, baboons include 2 more species of monkeys that live in the southern and central parts Africa. But they have not yet come to a consensus on this issue, since people still know very little about these monkeys, their behavioral, genetic, morphological diversity.

Appearance of a baboon

In baboons long muzzles, similar to a dog, close-set eyes, strong jaws with pointed fangs. Their body, with the exception of the muzzle, is covered with thick fur.

They have short tails. These monkeys have ischial calluses on their buttocks. In all species, the females are very clearly different from the males. Their muzzles have different shapes, wool can be dyed in different colors, they have different size bodies. Males are almost 2 times larger than females. On the male's head there is big mane white. Also, representatives of the stronger sex are endowed with more strong fangs. The tail of baboons is curved, and from the base it is directed upward by about a third, and then downward.

All species of these monkeys differ in size. The following types of baboons are distinguished: Guinea baboon, bear baboon, baboon, anubis and hamadryas. The largest is the bear baboon; their body length can reach 120 cm. These primates weigh about 40 kg. Other types are smaller in size. The smallest is the Guinea baboon, which grows to 50 cm in length and weighs about 14 kg. The color of the coat also depends on the species. Color can range from brown to silver. The muzzle is not covered with hair, there is bare skin that can be either pink or black. There is no hair on the buttocks of these monkeys. When mating season arrives, the buttocks of females turn red and swell.

Listen to the voice of the baboon monkey

Baboon behavior and nutrition

Baboons live both in forested areas and in semi-deserts and savannas, where they can be attacked by predators. To protect themselves, they unite in large groups. Baboons spend almost all their time on the ground, but they are also excellent tree climbers. They move on 4 limbs. They settle down to sleep on rocks or trees. When looking for food, they can walk several tens of kilometers. Typically, a group of baboons consists of approximately 50 individuals.

The task of young representatives of the stronger sex is to protect the flock from attacks by predators. The group is protected by a small group of young males, and such protection gives a strong and good result. These primates are very brave; in case of danger, they attack the enemy. Baboons are omnivores, but their diet mainly consists of plant food. They eat shellfish, birds, insects, fish, and small antelopes. In search of food, they can sneak into human possessions. In southern Africa, they can steal livestock, namely sheep or goats.

Reproduction and lifespan

During the mating season, the behavior of the monkey is dictated social structure the group in which she lives. If the flock is mixed, then the male can mate with any female. The social status of this male is important. Sometimes fights over females may occur. There may be other relationships between the female and the male, and friendship may arise between them. In this case, the male participates in caring for the cubs, delivers birth to the female, and obtains food.

The duration of pregnancy is 6 months. One calf is born, weighing about 400 grams. The female feeds him with milk for 1 year. These primates become sexually mature when they reach the age of 5-7 years. Males leave the pack even before they reach sexual maturity. Females live their entire lives in the pack from which their mother belongs. The lifespan of baboons in the wild is approximately 30 years. In captivity, these monkeys can live 45 years.

Niramin - Feb 12th, 2016

In the family of monkeys, the order of primates stands out absolutely amazing view- bear baboon (lat. Papio ursinus), or, in other words, chacma. This mammal has gained fame as the most dangerous of the baboons. Its impressive size (height up to 115 centimeters, weight up to 30 kilograms!), strong body covered with thick hair, large fangs, a huge dog-like head with a dog-like elongated muzzle and eyes recessed into the skull frighten even such formidable predators like leopards.

Chacmas are animals that live in large groups. They prefer to stay in wooded areas: natural caution forces baboons to stay away from open areas. Although few predators would dare to attack a group of these omnivores, which usually numbers up to fifty animals. Two or three individuals always act as sentinels: as soon as any danger arises, the watch makes noise, warning their relatives with warning cries about the threat. While defending themselves, a flock of baboons can attack both wild predators and hunting dogs.

To protect themselves as much as possible, bear baboons spend the night on the branches of tall trees or in the depths of rocks. Communication between individuals is a complex system gestures, sounds, poses, grimaces.

What do chacmas eat? To briefly describe their diet, they are omnivores. Fruits, greens, and insects coexist in their menu with shellfish, fish, and antelopes. To satisfy their hunger, bear baboons can even raid a flock of sheep to feast on the young meat of newborn lambs.

During the breeding season, chacma males may engage in sparring matches for a mate. The advantage of choosing the most attractive female always with the leader. If attachment arises between individuals, then the matter is not limited to mating: the male takes care of his chosen one before giving birth, and six months later, when the baby is born, he often takes an active part in his upbringing. The mother will breastfeed the baby for almost a year breast milk. At the age of about five years, on the eve of puberty, male children leave the pack, while young females, on the contrary, stay close to their mother all their lives, which is about 30 years. There are known cases of longevity of chacmas: in captivity they can live 45 years.

The habitat of bear baboons is very wide: it South part Africa - from Angola and Mozambique to Zambia and South Africa.

Look beautiful photos bear baboons:

Photo: Chacma with a calf.