About Monkeys
Old World Monkey

Baboons

Papio

Baboons are large, highly social Old World monkeys found across the savannas, woodlands and rocky hills of Africa and Arabia.

Olive baboon walking across golden savanna grass with acacia trees and a troop behind
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Primates
Family
Cercopithecidae

Other Names

Baboon

Size

20–45 inches long; 30–90 lbs, males much larger than females.

Description

A dog-like muzzle, prominent canine teeth, and pronounced size differences between males and females.

Behavior

Highly social and largely terrestrial, opportunistic in both diet and habitat.

Diet

Grass, fruit, seeds, insects, and occasionally small mammals.

Communication

Complex vocalizations, grunts and screams, reinforced constantly through grooming.

Habitat

Savanna, open woodland and rocky hills across Africa and Arabia.

Life Cycle & Society

Gestation
~6 months
Sexually Mature
4–8 years
Life Span
20–30 years
Athleticism
Fast on the ground, strong climbers when threatened
Conservation Status
Least Concern (most species)

Baboons live in large multi-male, multi-female troops of 20 to 150 with a well-defined, largely matrilineal hierarchy. Their opportunistic diet and adaptability let them thrive in habitats ranging from open savanna to semi-arid desert.

Selected Species

  • Olive Baboon

    Papio anubis

  • Yellow Baboon

    Papio cynocephalus

  • Chacma Baboon

    Papio ursinus

  • Hamadryas Baboon

    Papio hamadryas

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