Hamadryas Baboon

## About

An adult male hamadryas baboon

The hamadryas baboon ***(Papio hamadryas)*** is a large species of baboon native to northeast regions of Africa and is also the only known baboon species to occupy a very small portion of Asia. It is one of the largest baboon species and for that matter one of the largest monkey species on earth. Hamadryas baboons grow to 40 - 80 cm and can weigh between 10 - 30 kg however, depending on the baboon's age and and gender, these measurements differ. The male possess an infamous white shaggy coat with streaks of grey and silver running all throughout their body. The dominant male hamadryas baboons posses large robust bodies, and the most dense silver coat. Large males are also recognisable via their bright red faces. Animalia.bio states that hamadryas baboons were once called the sacred baboons by ancient Egyptians. Ancient Egyptians saw these baboons as the embodiment of gods, leading baboons to play a vital role in Egyptian society and cultural beliefs unfortunately however, the baboons have since gone extinct in Egypt. Female hamadryas baboons are easily distinguishable from their male counterparts because of their much smaller size and the varied colouration of their coat. San Diego Zoo states that hamadryas baboons work in large troupes with one male units and live a diurnal lifestyle, foraging for majority of the day and sleeping at sunrise. They are highly social creatures and engage in special routine grooming treatments to develop powerful bonds as well as distinct calls and signals to communicate in various ways.

## Diet

Like other baboons hamadryas baboons, are omnivores, meaning that they live on both vegetation and meat. Whilst foraging, these baboons have been found eating a variety of foods such as; fruits, tree gums, acacia seeds, acacia flowers, seeds, grass, rhizomes, corns, roots, tubers. Because of their wide range of diet hamadryas baboons along with other old world monkeys are prolific seed disburses and are essential to the plantation of seeds all around their ecosystem. However, hamadryas baboons are also known to eat meats, mainly limiting their carnivorous intake to small vertebrates, insects and eggs. This protein implemented into their diet is essential for brain development and muscle growth.

## Conservation Status

The hamadryas baboon's current population is increasing due to well-executed conservation acts in the areas in which the species inhabits. Because of this the hamadryas baboon is ranked as least concern according to IUCN. Though not being under any sort of major threats at this current time in terms of conservation, there are still some concerns surrounding the hamadryas baboon's future. For instance, habitat loss due to agricultural expansion in Ethiopia is a growing issue along with the hunting of hamadryas baboons for their skin. Using hamadryas baboons for research was once an issue in the illegal trade but has recently been illegalised and stopped. Nature reserves, including those across Ethiopia and Eritrea are extremely beneficial for hamadryas baboons. One in particular, the Awash National Park is known for housing both hamadryas baboons and olive baboons ***(Papio Anubis)*** living amongst each other. There have even been some cases of the two forming hybridised baboons in the national reserve.

## Range and Population

As mentioned earlier and according to IUCN the hamadryas baboon is the only known baboon species to occupy a region outside of Africa. This Asian range only extends from to the entire east coast of Yemen, taking up around a quarter of the country. Hamadryas baboons range also stretches to a tiny part of Saudi Arabia however, the vast majority of the hamadryas baboon's range is in Ethiopia making up the largest portion of their population. Hamadryas baboons have also been observed to venture as far as Eritrea and Djibouti, inhabiting the Goda mountains. Landscapes of their range are predominately arid desert regions, which are known to be prominent around the horn of Africa. Hamadryas baboons also occupy a relatively large area of land in Somalia in the south and a relatively small portion of land in Sudan. As mentioned earlier as well, hamadryas baboons were once known to live in Egypt, though as of the 16th century, hamadryas baboons had gone regionally extinct in the country. Populations remain stable due to the vast majority of hamadryas baboons living in Ethiopia. This is because of Ethiopia's low agricultural growth and lack of predators in comparison to other African regions. Populations remain stable in small communities overall and hamadryas baboons seem satisfied with their current geographical range.

## Behaviour

Much like other baboons, the hamadryas baboon prefers to live in complex high interaction social structures. Social relationships in baboon society are built between individual baboon relationships and the social hierarchy of this species. As said before and much similar to other species of baboon, hamadryas baboons run their social systems on a one male unit, meaning that only one male within the community will mate with the females and therefore produces offspring and carries on the community’s lineage. San Diego zoo states that hamadryas baboons live a diurnal lifestyle, surveying their territory in search of food and water across the plains they occupy throughout the day. Routine social engagements occur for around 30 minutes to 3 hours during the day. Activities in this time period typically include things like grooming, chasing and napping. Hamadryas baboons form onto one cliff at dusk and may engage in more copulation before getting rest on the cliff. Hamadryas baboons are typically found in large groups maybe 100 or more although have smaller sub groups within the community. These sub groups are typically made up of family and other related individuals. Males are often fighting for the control over females within the one male unit however, the most dominant male is not always crowned supreme. Females still have somewhat of a choice in who will father their offspring. Male hamadryas baboons are seen very aggressive particularly during mating season and use a wide variety of vocalisations and employ other intimidation tactics to ward off others. Hamadryas baboons travel around 3–13km (2–8mi) a day foraging for food, although are typically found only 6km (3.5mi) away from rivers and water sources in their region. Hamadryas baboons are often seen engaging in a herding display where males will bite the females if they stray too far away from the community.

### Relationship with Humans

According to the New England primate Conservancy baboons have been part of human culture for thousands of years, dating all the way back to ancient Egyptian culture. Ancient Egyptians saw these primates as avatars of the god of learning also known as Thoth. There are even multiple cases of hamadryas baboons being mummified in tombs similarly to cats and pharaohs.

## In Captivity

According to ZOOINSTITUTES the hamadryas baboon is found in over 60 different zoos all around the world. Hamadryas baboons have an increased life expectancy and also have been witnessed demonstrating tool use within some of these captive environments.

## Sources

* Hamadryas Baboon | Animalia.bio - https://animalia.bio/hamadryas-baboon
* Hamadryas Baboon | ZOOINSTITUTES - https://zooinstitutes.com/animals/hamadryas-baboon-1229/
* Hamadryas Baboon | San Diego Zoo - https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/hamadryas-baboon
* Hamadryas Baboon | New England Primate Conservancy - https://neprimateconservancy.org/hamadryas-baboon/
* Hamadryas Baboon | IUCN - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/16019/17953082