The chacma baboon is an Old World Monkey and is similar to other baboon species (the world’s largest monkeys). These baboons are dark brown in color and have several distinct features. The most typical feature of this baboon is their long and sloping face.
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Primates
Cercopithecidae
Papio
Papio ursinus
Table Of Content
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Primates
Cercopithecidae
Papio
Papio ursinus
Table of Contents
Baboons prefer living in groups and the most dominant adult male is called as alpha male.
Chacma Baboon
Sub-Species
There are three sub-species of Chacma Baboon:
Papio ursinus ursinus Kerr, 1792 – Cape Chacma (found in southern South Africa)
Papio ursinus griseipes Pocock, 1911 – Gray-footed Chacma (found in northern South Africa to southern Zambia)
Papio ursinus raucana Shortridge, 1942 – Ruacana Chacma (found from Namibia to southern Angola)
Physical Description
Length: Male Baboons are 20-30 inches long and female baboons are 16-24 inches in length.
Weight: Their average weight ranges within 31 to 37 pounds
BodyColor: These mammals have dark brown to gray body color with a scrap of uneven hair on the scruff of their neck.
Tail: Their tail stretches to a length of 21 to 33 inches.
Fur: These baboons are covered with olive-gray fur.
Chacma Baboon Image
Habitat
These baboons inhabit a wide variety of habitats; from the alpine slopes of the great Drakensberg to the Kalahari Desert. They prefer surviving on woodland, grasslands, and semi-desert areas. Baboons are also seen in small hills, cliffs as well as in the mountains. They adapt very well in the arid environment and can live without water for up to 10-11 days. They are mainly seen residing near to freshwater source.
Distribution
Their distribution range is quite wide. Not only are they seen in several parts of Southern Africa but are also spotted north up to Angola, Mozambique and Zambia. Baboons are also seen in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Lesotho.
Behavior
They are foragers and are active at irregular times throughout the day
Baboons are social creatures and prefer living in social groups with a large number of adult females
Their troops are identified by their dominance hierarchy, and have a complicated social system
They can become aggressive if provoked
They have sharp teeth and when threatened by predators, they are known to fight back
They spend most of their time on the ground
Baboons are very territorial in nature.
Diet
Chacma Baboons are omnivorous and their diet is comprised of all types of fruits that are available within their distribution range, insects, seeds, grasses, and even smaller vertebrate animals.
Chacma Baboon Skull
Adaptations
Chacma Baboon’s are well adapted to their surrounding environment:
Their strong teeth help them fight predators (and one another)
When threatened by predators, junior baboons climb up trees
They have cheek pouches where they can store food
Baboons can live without water for 10-11 days that help them survive in the arid region.
Baboons can run at a speed of 35-40 miles per hour
Predators
Their main predator is the leopard, but are also often attacked by spotted and stripped hyenas. They are a difficult prey for the leopard, since large baboons often confront them by flashing their canines.
Call
They have a deep, loud call which they repeat at 2 to 5 second intervasl. The sound is like “wahoo” and is emitted by adult males. The call is also emitted when threatened by any predator.
Breeding Season
Baboons do not have any definite breeding season. They are sexually active throughout the year.
Baby Chacma Baboon
Breeding
Their mating behavior depends on the structure of their group. In their troop, a male baboon can mate with any female. A female baboon instigates mating by presenting her rump to the male. The dominant males of the troop often engage in what is known as a false-mount; it is a sign of dominance and happens frequently with younger males in the troop. Female baboons give birth to a single infant every other year, after a six month gestation.
Life Cycle
The young baboons weigh one kilogram and have a black epidermis when born. The female baboon is the primary caretaker of the younger baboons, however several female baboons share the duties among themselves, taking care of all of their offspring. After about one year, the little ones are weaned. Male baboons leave their birth group after reaching the stage of sexual maturity. Female baboons are philopatric (behavior of remaining in or returning to an individual’s birthplace) and stay in the same group for a lifetime.
Life Span
Baboons can live up to 45 years in captivity, but in wild their life span is about 30 years.
Conservation Status
IUCN has enlisted this species of mammal in the “least concern” category. In some confined regions, their population is declining – but they are still at low risk of extinction.
