As with other baboons, the males are usually considerably larger than the females. The hair is rather coarse. The face and neck are thinly haired, but long hairs develop around the neck and shoulders in males. General coloration is olive brown in P. anubis, olive rufous in P. papio, yellowish in P. cynocephalus, and dark olive brown in P. ursinus. These four species lack the heavy mane development of the hamadryas baboon and are not as brilliantly colored as Mandrillus.
Baboons inhabit open woodland, savannahs, grassland, and rocky hill country.
All species are primarily diurnal and terrestrial, but all are capable of climbing. They are said to be good swimmers and to have excellent vision. During the dry season in Kenya, grass may be 90 percent of the diet. On the coast of South Africa, mollusks, crabs, and other marine creatures are regularly eaten. These species are reported to have definite home ranges, from which it is difficult to drive them.