Learn more about the hamadryas baboon

The hamadryas baboon

The Hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas) is a monkey from the genus of baboons (Papio). The baboons include several species:

• Hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas)

• Green baboon or anubis baboon (Papio anubis)

• Yellow baboon (Papio cynocephalus)

• Brown baboon or sphinx baboon (Papio papio)

• Bear baboon or Cape baboon (Papio ursinus)

Close relatives include the gelada (Theropithecus gelada) and the mandrils (Mandrillus).

What does a hamadryas baboon look like?

Males grow up to 95 centimeters long and weigh about 18 kilograms. Females grow a bit smaller, reaching 65 centimeters in length and weighing 15 pounds. Females have grayish brown fur, with a bald, pink face. Adult males are much larger and have long, silver-gray fur. That fur is lighter on the cheeks, tail tip and around the buttocks. On the neck and shoulders, the male has long mane, like a cloak. So you can easily tell males and females apart by the cloak! The male is found attractive by his full head of hair and the female by her red hind. The redder the hind, the more attractive it is found.

Hamadryas baboons are recognizable by their red-colored buttocks, but why do baboons actually have them? In this Ranger Request, ranger Robert tells more about baboons and their curious backsides.

The behavior of the hamadryas baboon

They are active during the day and in the late afternoon they gather on the steep rock faces. Here they sleep communally. Hamadryas baboons live in harems; one male along with 1 to 10 females and their young. These harems fall over an umbrella "clan. Interestingly, related males, usually brothers, are in the clan together with their harems. The males guard the females well; another male rarely succeeds in hijacking a female away from a clan. Hamadryas baboons form a harem by luring immature females away or by attacking older harem leaders and taking over some or all of the females.

Clans join together in a "band. With these bands, all hamadryas baboons go to sleep together on a section of rock. Haremless males are also part of these bands. A group of bands together form a "troop. This group can consist of as many as hundreds of hamadryas baboons. in the morning, the troop breaks up again into the different bands.

Complicated, isn't it? In a nutshell: harem < clan < band < troop

Hamadryas baboons can therefore work well together. This is necessary, because there is little food and sleeping space in their habitat.

What is the habitat of the hamadryas baboons?

Hamadryas baboons are found in the steppes, semi-deserts, cliffs and mountains along the Red Sea. Especially in the countries of Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Sudan and in southwestern Arabia, in Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

At Beekse Bergen, the hamadryas baboons live together with the elephants! Will you come and see?

What does a hamadryas baboon eat?

A hamadryas baboon lives on grasses, buds, fruits, roots, shoots and invertebrates. To find food, they can travel as far as 13 kilometers.

The reproduction of the hamadryas baboon

Reproduction occurs throughout the year. However, more hamadryas baboons are born on average in May, June, November and December. The gestation period lasts about 170 days. Usually one young is born at a time. The suckling period lasts about 15 months. After 2 years, males leave their natal group; females do so after 3.5 years. Males often stay in the same clan for their entire lives. Females reach sexual maturity after 5 years. Males take a little longer, at 7 years. In the wild, hamadryas baboons live between 20 and 30 years.

Kidnapping

In a group, males are very tolerant of the little ones. They let them ride on their backs and sometimes play with them. The mothers love their offspring and also keep a close eye on them. They flea them and hold them by their tails so they don't run away too far. The males are also very interested in the young, which can sometimes end up not so well. Males sometimes try to kidnap the young from other clans. They do this by offering to sit on their backs. This can sometimes mean the death of the young. They then dry out or starve to death. Fortunately, the kidnapped young are often retrieved by the leaders of their group.

A sacred animal

In ancient times, the hamadryas baboon probably also occurred in Egypt. Here it was revered as a sacred animal. This was because the baboon entered Egypt in large numbers. They climbed palms and collected fruits. Baboons are intelligent, curious, lively and quick-witted. The Egyptians considered this the perfect example for listless children. The baboon was considered a sacred animal; like an ibis, it was dedicated to Thot. In fact, Thot was often depicted as a baboon. The baboon symbolizes the rising sun and origin of creation. Baboons make a shrill sound in chorus just before sunrise, supposedly announcing the sun god Ra.

Who is the enemy of the hamadryas baboon?

Surely the greatest enemy of the hamadryas baboon is the leopard. This is also why they sleep on top of steep cliffs, where they are relatively safe.

Is the hamadryas baboon endangered?

The hamadryas baboon is not an endangered species. Although their habitat is being lost. The males are also hunted for their beautiful fur. Fortunately, they are no longer captured for scientific research, which used to happen a lot. Hunting these animals is not prohibited. Baboons also often visit villages and towns to look for food, this does not really help build a good reputation with the locals.

Species Conservation

The role of zoos is to preserve and protect of animal species. European parks work closely together to achieve this goal and do so with an management program (EEP). The hamadryas baboon is also part of this. This helps maintain a healthy reserve population. Find out more about species conservation and our role here here.

Conservation

Fortunately, the status of the hamadryas baboon is safe. But unfortunately, many of the species you see in our park are endangered and struggling in their native habitats. Did you know that worldwide more than 4,000 animal species are threatened with extinction are endangered? Together we can help them, with big, or small steps. Want to know how? Then click here.