Sexual dimorphism in size, weight, canine development and presence of mane in males. High mountains of central and northern Ethiopia. Habitat is treeless open rocky and grassy mountainous regions at the edge of cliffs. Range in Ethiopia overlaps that of the smaller Hamadryas Baboon. Foraging consists mainly of shuffling along on the haunches and picking up food items with the best precision grip of any nonhuman primate.
Social organization is complex, described as being structured into three levels.
All-male groups are very real social units in the sense that they exhibit cohesion, bonding and support between members. These are not really social groups, but rather temporary aggregations of animals under good grazing conditions. Morning is main grooming time. Gestation is 7 to 8 months. Birth season is February to April.