Details
Papio hamadryas
A baboon of northeastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Males have a silvery mantle, and the species is known for a complex multi-level society.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
Hamadryas baboons live in rocky savannas, semi-deserts, cliffs, and dry mountains. Troops sleep on cliffs and travel to feeding and water sites by day.
Adult males are large with a long silver-gray mantle over the shoulders. Females and young are smaller and brown, with elongated faces.
They are diurnal and live in layered social units, with one-male units grouping into larger bands and troops. Males herd and guard associated females.
They eat grasses, roots, seeds, fruit, insects, and small vertebrates. Underground plant parts and hard seeds are important in dry habitats.
Females give birth within social groups, and infants cling to mothers during travel. Social bonds influence later rank and breeding opportunities.
The species was prominent in ancient Egyptian religion, which is reflected in the English alias sacred baboon.
