Baboon

Baboons are African and Arabian Old World monkeys belonging to the genus Papio, part of the subfamily Cercopithecinae. The five species are some of the largest non-hominoid members of the primate order; only the mandrill and the drill are larger. Previously, the closely related gelada genus Theropithecus and the two species mandrill and drill of genusMandrillus were grouped in the same genus, and these Old World monkeys are still often referred to as baboons in everyday speech. They range in size and weight depending on species.

The Guinea baboon is 50 cm 20 in and weighs only 14 kg 31 lb, while the largest chacma baboon can b Five species of Papio are commonly recognized, although there is some disagreement about whether they are really fullspecies or subspecies. They are P. ursinus chacma baboon, found in southern Africa, P. papio western, red, or Guinea baboon, found in the far western Africa, P. hamadryas hamadryas baboon, found in the Horn of Africa and southwestern Arabia, P. anubis (olive baboon, found in the north-central African savanna) and P. cynocephalus yellow baboon, found in south-central and eastern Africa. 

Many authors distinguish P. hamadryas as a full species, but regard all the others as subspecies of P. cynocephalus and refer to them collectively as savanna baboons. This may not be helpful: it is based on the argument that the hamadryas baboon is behaviorally and physically distinct from other baboon species, and that this reflects a separate evolutionary history. However, recent morphological and genetic studies of Papio show the hamadryas baboon to be more closely related to the northern baboon species the Guinea and olive baboons than to the southern species the yellow a The traditional five-form classification probably under-represents the variation within Papio. Some commentators argue that at least two more forms should be recognized, including the tiny Kinda baboon P. cynocephalus kindae from Zambia, DR Congo, and Angola, and the gray-footed baboon P. ursinus griseipes found in Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and northern South Africa. However, current knowledge of the morphological, genetic, and behavioral diversity within Papio is too poor to make any final, comprehensive judgment on this matter.nd chacma baboons. All baboons have long, dog-like muzzles, heavy, powerful jaws with sharp canine teeth, close-set eyes, thick fur except on their muzzles, short tails, and rough spots on their protruding buttocks, called ischial callosities. These calluses are nerveless, hairless pads of skin that provide for the sitting comfort of the baboon.All baboon species exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism, usually in size, but also sometimes in colour or canine development. Males of the hamadryas baboon species also have large white manes.Baboons are terrestrial ground dwelling and are found in open savannah, open woodland and hills across Africa. 

Their diets are omnivorous, but mostly herbivorous, yet they eat insects and occasionally prey on fish, trout and salmon if available, shellfish, hares, birds, vervet monkeys, and small antelopes. They are foragers and are active at irregular times throughout the day and night. They can raid human dwellings, and in South Africa, they have been known to prey on sheep and goats.Baboons in captivity have been known to live up to 45 years, while in the wild their life expectancy is about 30 years.Baboons are able to acquire orthographic processing skills, which form part of the ability to read.