Primate baboons are the most conceited they are. Bear baboon: a description of the animal's life with photos and videos. The laws of the pack: the social structure of baboons

Spreading

Baboons are distributed almost throughout Africa. They are single genus primates (except humans), which are also found in the northeast of the continent, in Egypt and Sudan. They are absent only in northwestern Africa and Madagascar. Hamadryl is also found in the Arabian Peninsula, although it is possible that this population was introduced by humans.

Appearance

Male and female baboons differ greatly in size and build. Males are almost twice as large as females and have much larger fangs, as well as a lush mane in some species. The tail of baboons is shorter than the body and has a curved shape. The first third is directed upwards, and the rest of the tail hangs down. The length of baboons ranges from 40 to 110 cm with a tail length of up to 80 cm. large species, bear baboon, weight can reach 30 kg.

Both sexes are characterized by a sharp, dog-like muzzle, closely spaced eyes, powerful jaws, and thick, rough hair. The color of the coat varies depending on the species from silvery to brownish. The muzzle is not covered with hair and is colored black or pink. The rear is also hairless. In females during mating season it swells and takes on a bright red color.

Distribution and movement

Baboons are active during the daytime and are found both in semi-deserts, savannahs and steppes, as well as in forest areas and even in rocky regions. Although they spend most of their time on the ground, they are good climbers. For sleep, they choose elevated places on trees or on rocks. On the ground, they move on four legs and a bent tail. In search of food, they cover distances of up to 60 km daily. They live in large herds. In communication, up to 30 sound signals, facial expressions and gestures are used.

Symbolism

famous baboons

Fred is a baboon who lived in Cape Town, South Africa and gained international attention as the leader of a "gang" of monkeys that vandalized cars, attacked tourists and local residents and food theft. The scale of his activities brought Fred to the attention of the city authorities.

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See what "Baboons" are in other dictionaries:

BABONS Modern Encyclopedia

BABONS- genus narrow-nosed monkeys. Body length approx. 100 cm, tail 5 70 cm. The muzzle is elongated, similar to a dog. 7 species (hamadryl, baboon, drill, mandrill, etc.), in the savannah forests and savannahs of Africa. Omnivorous. They live in large herds. They lead a terrestrial lifestyle ... Large encyclopedic Dictionary

BABONS- dog-headed monkeys (Papio), a genus of monkeys. Based on fossil remains, they are known from the Pliocene of Africa and Asia (India, China) and the Pleistocene of India. Large animals (male body length approx. 100 cm, tail 50-60 cm) of dense build. Double females... Biological encyclopedic dictionary

BABONS is a genus or family of Old World dog-headed monkeys. Dictionary of foreign words included in the Russian language. Pavlenkov F., 1907 ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

Baboons- or dog-headed monkeys of the genera Cynocephalus and Theropithecus, often combined into one genus Cynocephalus. The muzzle is very elongated, swollen due to the expansion of the maxillary bones, the fangs are very large; nostrils in Cynocephialus at the end of the snout... Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron

Baboons- BAVIANS, a genus of monkeys (monkey family). The body length of males is about 100 cm, tail 5 70 cm; females are twice as small. The muzzle is elongated, like a dog. 7 species (hamadryl, mandrill, baboon, etc.), in the savannah forests and savannahs of Africa. Image… … Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

baboons- a genus of narrow-nosed monkeys. The length of the body is about 100 cm, the tail is 5 70 cm. The muzzle is elongated, similar to a dog's. 7 species (hamadryl, baboon, drill, mandrill, etc.), in the savannah forests and savannahs of Africa. Omnivorous. They live in large herds. They are leading a ground image ... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

baboons- pavianai statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas gentis apibrėžtis Gentyje 7 rūšys. Paplitimo arealas - Africa. atitikmenys: lot. Papio English. baboons; savanna baboons vok. Paviane rus. baboons pranc. babouins; papions rysiai:… … Žinduolių pavadinimų žodynas

Baboons- (Papio) a genus of narrow-nosed monkeys of the monkey family. Body length 75-80 cm, tail 50-60 cm, weigh up to 30 kg. The muzzle is long, the eyebrows and fangs are strongly developed. The nostrils are wide, located at the end of the muzzle. The coat is long, sometimes forming ... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Baboons- or dog-headed monkeys, monkeys from the genera Cynocephalus and Theropithecus, often combined into one genus Cynocephalus (see Table Monkeys and Fig. P.'s skull in the same place, in the text). The muzzle is very elongated, swollen due to the expansion of the maxillary bones ... Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron

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The baboon belongs to the order of primates and forms a genus in which there are 5 species. This monkey is remarkable in that it has a muzzle resembling a dog's. All species live in sub-Saharan Africa. One species, namely hamadryas, also lives on the Arabian Peninsula. There is a version that people brought this population to Arabia in ancient times. Some experts believe that 2 more species of monkeys living in the Central and South Africa, can be attributed to the genus of baboons. However, people still have too little knowledge about the morphological, genetic and behavioral diversity of these animals. Therefore, it is very difficult to make a final decision on this issue.

All members of the genus have long dog muzzles, powerful jaws with sharp fangs, closely spaced eyes, thick fur except for the muzzle, short tails, and ischial calluses on the buttocks. All species have pronounced sexual dimorphism. Females differ from males in the shape of the muzzle, size, and sometimes the color of the skin. Male hamadryas have large white manes. Males are almost 2 times larger than the weaker sex. They also have more powerful fangs. The tail of an animal is curved. One third of the base is directed upwards, and the rest hangs down.

The sizes depend on the type. These monkeys are divided into bear baboon, guinea baboon, anubis, hamadryas and baboon. The first type is considered the largest. The body length of these animals can reach 120 cm with a weight of 40 kg. Other types are smaller. The smallest is the Guinean species with a body length of 50 cm and a weight of 14 kg. The color of the coat depends entirely on the species and varies from brown to silver. Hair does not grow on the muzzle. It can be pink or black. There is also no hair on the back of the body. During the mating season, the buttocks of females swell and turn red.

Reproduction and lifespan

The behavior of monkeys during the mating season largely depends on social structure. In mixed groups, males can mate with any females, while playing a big role social status male, which sometimes provokes fights between rivals. However, there are more subtle relationships between the sexes. Friendship develops between male and female. At the same time, the representative of the stronger sex helps the lady take care of the offspring, brings food and takes the cub during childbirth.

Pregnancy lasts 6 months. 1 cub is born. It weighs approximately 400 g. Milk feeding lasts 1 year. Sexual maturity occurs at the age of 5-7 years. Young males leave the group even before puberty, and females remain for life in the flock in which they were born. AT wild nature A baboon lives for about 30 years. Life expectancy in captivity is 45 years.

Behavior and nutrition

These animals live not only in wooded area, but also in the open savannah, semi-desert, therefore they unite in large groups to protect themselves from predators. They spend most of their time on the ground, but they are excellent at climbing trees. They move on 4 legs, sleep in trees or climb rocks. In search of food, they can travel tens of kilometers a day. The herd usually has an average of 50 animals.

The task of young males is to protect other monkeys from predators. Collective defense always gives a very good result. In addition, baboons are distinguished by their courage and rush at the enemy without fear. These animals are omnivores, but mostly herbivores. They feed on insects, mollusks, prey on fish, birds, hares, small antelopes. They can raid human possessions. In South Africa, these primates abduct goats and sheep.

The inhabitants of Africa are sure that the baboon is more dangerous than the leopard. The opinion is drawn from close encounters with these vicious, sly, pugnacious and cunning monkeys, constantly appearing in criminal reports.

Description of the baboon

From the point of view of most zoologists, the genus Papio (baboons) includes five species of primates from the marmoset family - anubis, baboon, hamadryas, Guinean baboon and bear baboon (chakma). Some scientists, who are sure that the breakdown 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 looks like a bear baboon, growing up to 1.2 m with a weight of 40 kg. The Guinean baboon is recognized as the smallest, whose 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 greyish-silver. All primates are distinguished by strong jaws with sharp fangs and close-set eyes. It is impossible to confuse a female baboon with a male - males have more impressive fangs and noticeable white manes adorning their heads. There is no hair on the muzzle, and the skin is painted black or pink.

Important! There is no coat on the buttocks either, but this part of the body is equipped with pronounced ischial calluses. The buttocks of females swell and turn red with the onset of the breeding season.

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

Lifestyle

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

With the advent of dusk, the monkeys settle down to sleep, climbing higher - on the same trees or rocks. Females, as a rule, surround their leaders. They go to sleep while sitting, which is facilitated by elastic ischial calluses, which allow them to ignore the inconvenience of the chosen position for a long time. They start their journey during the day, in a well-organized community, in 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 a hit in case of danger and make sure that the females do not break away from the herd.

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

The war for leadership is rarely fought alone. To cope with a super-aggressive and strong dominant male, subdominants form temporary fighting alliances. This makes sense - male individuals assigned to a low rank 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 quite a long time. In the wild, these monkeys live up to 30 years, in zoos - up to about 45.

Range, habitats

The birthplace of the baboon is almost the entire boundless African continent, divided into areas certain types. The bear 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 Guinean baboon lives in Cameroon, Guinea and Senegal, and the hamadryan inhabits Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia and part Arabian Peninsula(Aden area).

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

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

According to Justin O'Ryan, an employee of the section on the study of baboons, his wards learned how to break windows, open doors and even dismantle the tiled roof. But the contacts of monkeys with humans are dangerous for both sides - baboons bite and scratch, and people kill them.. To keep the primates in their traditional habitats, herd movements are controlled by rangers, marking animals with paint from paintball rifles.

Baboon Diet

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

The diet of baboons contains:

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

But baboons have not been satisfied with the gifts of nature for a long time - tailed rogues got the hang of stealing provisions from cars, houses and garbage cans. In the southern regions of Africa, these monkeys are increasingly preying on livestock (sheep and goats).

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

The ruthless African sun, drying up small rivers, forces us to find alternative sources of water. Monkeys trained to extract moisture by digging the bottom of dried-up reservoirs.

natural enemies

Predators shun mature baboons, especially those traveling in large herds, but will not miss the chance to attack a female, weakened or young primate.

In the open space above the herd, the threat of attacks by such natural enemies, 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 his relatives. An alarming bark becomes a signal of danger, upon hearing which, females with cubs huddle together, and males come forward.

They have a rather frightening appearance - an evil grin and rearing hair unambiguously hint at readiness for a merciless battle. The predator, who did not heed the threat, quickly feels in his own skin how the baboon army works harmoniously, and usually ingloriously retreats.

Reproduction and offspring

Not every male, with the beginning of the mating season, gets access to the body of a female: the lower the status and age of the applicant, the less his chances of reciprocity. Unlimited sexual contacts can only be with the 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 enclosure conditions are very curious. Biologists found out how the age of a male correlates with polygamy, or rather, with the likelihood of acquiring his own harem. It was found that all 4–6 year old baboons that entered childbearing age were still bachelors. The harem, which consisted of one wife, was only in the possession of a single seven-year-old male.

It is interesting! The privilege of polygamy was given to aviary baboons who reached the age of 9, and over the next 3–4 years the right to an individual harem continued to be strengthened.

In the category of 9-11-year-old baboons, already half became polygamists, and the heyday of polygamy fell on 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 the younger age categories) had baboons who crossed the line of 13 and 14 years. But on the other hand, in 15-year-old males, the harems began to crumble little by little.

Birth of offspring

Baboons often fight for females, and in some species they do not leave her even after a successful sexual intercourse - they get food, give birth 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 the mother's belly to travel with the mother, at the same time feeding on her milk. Having strengthened, the child moves to the back, stopping feeding milk by 6 months of age.

When the baboon is 4 months old, its muzzle darkens, and the coat lightens somewhat, acquiring gray or brown tones. The final species color usually appears by the year. Weaned primates unite in a related company, reaching fertility no earlier than 3–5 years. Young females always stay with their mother, and males tend to leave the herd without waiting for puberty.

Niramin - Feb 12th, 2016

In the family of marmosets of the order of primates, absolutely amazing view- bear baboon (lat. Papio ursinus), or, in other words, chakma. This mammal has earned itself the reputation of 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 deep in the skull frighten even such formidable predators as leopards.

Chakmas are animals that live large groups. They prefer to stay in wooded areas: natural caution makes baboons stay away from open areas. Although the group of these omnivores, which usually numbers up to fifty animals, few of the predators dare to attack. Two or three individuals always act as sentries: as soon as some kind of danger arises, the watch raises a fuss, warning relatives with warning cries about the threat. 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 branches. tall trees or in the depths of the rocks. Communication between individuals is a complex system of gestures, sounds, postures, grimaces.

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

During the breeding season, male chakmas may spar for a mate. Advantage in choosing the most attractive female always at the leader. If affection arises between individuals, then mating is not limited to: the male takes care of his chosen one before birth, and after six months, when the baby is born, he often takes Active participation in his upbringing. For almost a year, the mother will breastfeed the baby breast milk. At the age of about five years, on the eve of their puberty, male children leave the flock, while young females, on the contrary, stay near their mother all their lives, which is about 30 years. Cases of longevity of chakmas are known: in captivity they are able to live 45 years.

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

See beautiful photos bear baboons:

Photo: Chakma with a cub.

Video: Baboons Fighting. Kruger, South Africa.

Video: Monkey Playing In The Mud

Video: Chacma baboons (Papio ursinus)

Video: Chacma Country Part 1

Video: Chacma Country Part 2

Monkeys are always interesting to watch - they are so spontaneous, cute and smart that they can't leave anyone indifferent! What is a dog-headed monkey, what are its features and unusual habits - the following material will tell about this.

General signs and appearance

The generalized name includes several subspecies of monkeys at once, which have a number of similar external and behavioral features. Knowing such features of animals of this genus, they cannot be confused with anyone else.

The dog-headed monkey, or baboon, is a narrow-nosed primate. They are very smart, live in large groups, strictly observing the foundations and traditions of the pack. The baboon is distinguished by the following external characteristics:

• Enough large size- an average of 70-100 centimeters in height and 25-45 kg in weight. Males are usually larger than females.
• The head appears large in relation to the body. The muzzle is elongated and narrow, and on it there are so-called cheek pouches. It is to this structure of the head that baboons owe their second name - the dog-headed monkey (photos of animals are presented in the article).
• Long and thin tail, reaching an average of 50-70 centimeters.
• The coat is thick, not too long. It is much more on the head than on the trunk and limbs.
• Under the tail of the baboons is the "sciatic callus" - two hairless hemispheres color pink. In females ready to mate, this part of the body turns bright red.

Baboons move mainly on four limbs, can climb trees perfectly, run and jump quickly.

Where can you meet a baboon?

There are not many places where the dog-headed monkey lives in nature. The description of their way of life confirms that these primates need a large area for the comfortable living of the entire large flock.

most comfortable natural environment for baboons is the steppe area and most often flocks of these animals are found in the southern part of the mainland and on the Arabian Peninsula.

Dog-headed monkeys are usually not afraid of people and can settle not far from civilization, engaging in petty wrecking: they can steal food and even small domestic animals.

During visits of tourists to safari parks where baboons live in free conditions, primates do not run away from people, but, on the contrary, expect handouts and goodies from them.

Herbivore hunter: what do monkeys eat?

The diet of an animal such as a dog-headed monkey is very extensive. These animals can eat both plant foods and animal products.

Most often, the menu of baboons consists of the fruits of fruit trees, berries, root crops, small beetles and reptiles. But, despite the rich plant diet, the baboon is able to hunt not always the smallest prey.

Thanks to physiological features the dog-headed monkey is able to develop serious speed, which allows it to easily catch up with the victim. And thirty two sharpest tooth, from which quite powerful fangs stand out clearly, leave no chance not only for medium-sized animals, like a dog, but also for large African inhabitants. A male baboon is able to catch and tear a gazelle, which indicates the exceptional speed and strength of these animals.

The laws of the pack: the social structure of baboons

They live in large flocks, clearly adhering to the intra-clan hierarchy. At the head of the pack is the strongest male. Everyone obeys his "instructions" implicitly.

In the daytime, baboons are on the ground, having chosen a vast territory and doing their own thing. At the same time, the placement of primates is always the same: strong males are located along the edges, females and cubs are closer to the center. Thanks to such a “building”, the pack will always be able to protect its strongest representatives, and it doesn’t matter from which side the enemy crept up.

The dog-headed monkey has sharpest eyesight and sees the danger from afar. In this case, the leader emits a characteristic sound signal. Other animals can also use this signal - this kind of warning is hard not to hear.

In case of alarm, baboons climb trees and wait out the danger.

Amorous affairs: love and breeding of baboons

An adult female baboon is ready to mate every month. The male and female form a pair during the mating season. It is worth noting that at this time the "cavalier" courts only one "lady".

Pregnancy in a female dog-headed monkey lasts an average of six months and ends with the birth of one cub, in very rare cases, twins.

Monkeys treat newborns very carefully and carefully: at first, the babies are at the mother’s chest, tenaciously grabbing her hair; a little later - on her back. Growing up baboons increasingly leave their mother and play with other cubs, but at the same time parental control does not weaken - dog-headed monkeys do not leave children unattended and do not allow them to play too violently.

Beware, danger!

Baboons are not afraid of almost any animal. Even if there are elephants or rhinos on their way, the monkeys are reluctant to give way to them - they perfectly feel that large animals they are not threatened by anything.

The only exceptions are leopards and lions. These predators, thanks to their incredible speed and strength, can successfully hunt baboons. But the poaching of these rare animals leads to the fact that their population is sharply reduced, and the natural regulation of the reproduction of dog-headed monkeys is coming to naught. There is a significant increase in the number of primates in the places of trapping of leopards and lions.

African residents have a negative attitude towards these animals. Monkeys are very smart, yet strong and cheeky. They calmly approach human settlements in order to profit from food or domestic animals. The presence of a person does not scare them, the exception is strong man with weapon. A baboon is not only not afraid of a woman and a child, but can also attack. Unfortunately, in African villages, it is not uncommon for dog-headed monkeys tore or bite children and women to death.

Watching the monkeys is extremely interesting: their habits combine both the features of the animal world and the human character. But no matter how cute and smart baboons are, do not forget that they are, first of all, animals that can show aggression and strength at the most unexpected moment.