This species breeds throughout the year, but the peak of the season is May and July, the low point January and February. Hamadryas baboons are heavily preyed upon by leopards, but they only scream at the leopards and make no attempt to rescue one of their number when caught. Life span 30 to 40 years. Adapted to semi-arid conditions but must have water daily. They spend the night in rocky cliffs, sometimes foraging miles during the day but always returning to the cliffs to sleep.
Males have enormous canines, usually used in threat displays.
The Hamadryas was the sacred baboon of the ancient Egyptians, often pictured on temples and monoliths as the attendant or representative of Thoth, the god of letters and scribe of the gods. Baboons were mummified, entombed and associated with sun-worship. This is the only non-human primate found in Arabia. These animals are very social and are stressed by isolation. A direct stare is a threat.