The Chacma Baboon – Papio ursinus
The Chacma or Cape Baboon is an omnivorous primate,
feeding on wild fruits, seeds, insects and scorpions
and sometimes small mammals and birds.
The mature male can weigh up to 33 kgs and measure 1.5m
from head to tail whereas the female is smaller,
weighing up to 15kg and measuring 1.1m.
Baboons breed throughout the year and have
gestation period of 140 days.
Baboons are African and Arabian Old World monkeys belonging
to the genus Papio, part of the subfamily Cercopithecinae.
There are five species, the Guinea baboon is 50 cm and weighs only 14kg
whilst the Chacma is the largest.
All baboons have long dog-like muzzles, heavy, powerful jaws with sharp
canine teeth, close-set yes, thick fur, a short
tail and rough spots on their buttocks which protrude called
ischial callosities. These are nerveless and provide a
comfortable seat for the baboon.
Baboons are extremely social and make ‘adoring’ parents.
Troops can be 50 to 100 strong.
Although preyed upon by leopards and cheetahs, Chacma baboons
have been known to defend themselves aggressively with their
large canines.
Baboons love to sun themselves and when socializing are fun
to watch as they often display ‘human-like’ behaviour.
The Chacma baboon is widely distributed throughout
Southern Africa and in countries beyond.
(I took these pictures in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.)
shallicomparethee 