Wildlife: Mammals -
Baboon 1/3
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Papio Cynocephalus Ursinus, Chacma Baboon, Kaapse Bobbejaan,
Pavian.
 Description
The baboon which we know in the Kruger National Park is the so-called chacma
baboon. It is one of only three species of monkey that can be found in Southern
Africa. The colour of the species is usually brownish grey to dark brown and at
times dark black. Most common is grey-brown. The male specimens have a dark mane
on their neck and shoulders. The hair is quite long and coarse. When one looks
at the hands they are dark brown or black. The babies have black hair and pink
skin. The ears have pointed tips and the muzzle is long and broad. Their limbs
are long, the arms longer than their legs. And their fingers and toes are long
and dextrous. The males can reach lenghts of up to 180 centimetres while the
females will reach lenghts of up to 115 centimetres. Males weigh up to 43
kilogramms while females will only way up to 17 kilogramms. Thus when one cannot
see penis or scrotum with males they can be spotted by their larger size and
larger canine teeth.
Habitat
They will prosper in any region where they have abundant food,
water and shelter. Visitors to the Kruger National Park will
notice that they have to lock away food to prevent these
intelligent animals from raiding the fridge.
Diet
As most primates are the baboon is omnivorous. The main part of
their diet exists out of grasses, corns, bulbs, fruits and other
vegetation. But they will also eat invertabretes, eggs, fish,
birds and some mammals.
Life history
At average a female will need 36 days to deliver a new born
baby. When a female becomes receptive to males her rump will
swell and show a clear pink colour. The maximum in the swelling
will reach its height from 6 days to ovulation. When she reaches
this condition males will become more aggressive. The dominant
male in the pack will receive priority access to the female. The
babies are born any time in the year. Few babies ever become
prey to predators. Except to leopards who are specialised in
hunting down the baboons.
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