Baboons

I have always been intrigued by these almost-human creatures. This may stem from my grandfather’s tale (repeated at the birth of each of my siblings) that human babies are in fact infant baboons, snatched from their parents. These infant baboons then had their tails cut off and after being shaved clean, they would become human babies.

Baboons are fascinating creatures. I have spent many hours studying them through binoculars, following at a save distance. And once they got used to me I could sometimes approach close enough to hear them ‘talking’.

A Typical Day. Baboons are not very early risers. When they leave their sleeping places they would first post a look-out at a good vantage point. Then they would gather in a group, sitting in the sun grooming each other, getting rid of any external parasites. This social behaviour is very important in forming alliances and friendships.

Then they would move off in a line, two or three abreast, then spreading out sideways to start foraging. All this time their offspring are kept in close scrutiny. They may travel up to 5 km this way.

At the heat of the day they will find a place to rest until it gets cooler. After placing a look-out again and somebody to mind the young ones, they will sleep in the shade.

When it gets cooler they will start working their way back home, foraging all the way. The day is concluded by some more mutual grooming before going to sleep.

Intelligence. Baboons are very clever creatures. They are fast learners and only need to see a thing done once. Thirty years ago, near Ogies, up north in the Gauteng Province I saw a baboon driving a tractor. Not once, many times. I even stopped to have a better look. Apparently the farmer taught him to start the tractor as well as switching it off again.

Yet they can be excruciatingly dumb. A farmer in the northwest province caught a baboon stuck to his shed because it would not let go of the head of corn in his hand to get it back through the hole!

Baboons know what a rifle is. He will not approach you if you have a rifle with you, but he may be very arrogant if you are empty-handed.

Baboons can count too. At least up to three. If three people enter the cornfields and only two leaves the baboon will know one is still hiding in the fields. More than three people must go into the cornfields and at least three must return to fool a baboon.

Sleeping Place. Baboons live on the ground, but at night they seek safety in heights. They are good climbers and will overnight in niches against cliffs or simply in a tree.

Diet. Baboons are optimistic feeders and will eat almost anything. Grass, berries, insects, reptiles, birds and any small mammals they can catch. Here in certain regions of South Africa they are known to kill poultry or sheep for food.

Childcare. Baboons look well after their offspring. An infant is carried in the arm, even when foraging. When he gets bigger he rides on his mother’s back or hangs on her tail.

When he gets big enough to walk he is herded with the other young ones, often to be presided over by one or more of the older females in the pack.

They teach their young ones well and misbehaviour is punished by pinching them.

I have seen plenty of times how a mother will teach her offspring how to remove the sting from a scorpion before eating it.

Dominance And Hierarchy. There is a very definite pecking order amongst the males. This is determined by size, strength and fighting ability.

Children inherit their dominance (amongst the other children) from their parents. Females assume their places on the social ladder from their mating partners. This determines who eats first and who is grooming who. Less subtle as with males, but clearly visible.

Social Interaction. Young males must leave the troop as he grows up. Males form friendship and alliances (cliques) that stick together. Females stick to their family; sisters, mother and aunts.

Males are not readily accepted in a new troop. I watched a young male for several weeks trying to get into a new troop. He befriended, helped and defended a young female and so worked him into the troop. Almost like humans marrying foreigners to obtain citizenship of a country.

Communication. I have heard them grunting at each other and the clever people say they have about thirty different vocal sounds. But I found their body-language the most interesting. Hand signals, arm waving, shoulder shaking, feet stamping, lip smacking and of course the facial expressions. Baboons will make poor poker players. You can clearly see his state of mind.

Enemies. The main enemies of the baboon are man, lions, leopards and hyenas. But a single leopard or hyena is no match for a grown male baboon. Baboons are ferocious killers capable of killing (and eating) large dogs.

Interaction With Man. If you feed a baboon he will come back for more; using violence if you don’t comply. They are known for making a mess on your car’s roof or bonnet; smearing it over your car’s windows. Yes and breaking off aerials, windscreen wipers, mascots and so forth.

The baboon is not particularly scared of humans. As the outskirts of Cape Town encroached on Table Mountain, the baboons refused to be displaced. They often wander between the houses! Sometimes causing havoc.

Baboons are known to raid human dwellings for food; quite prepared to break a window to gain entry. And they cause South African Farmers millions each year in damages to livestock and crops.

In Conclusion. Yes, almost human and I suspect we don’t give them enough due. I sometimes wonder if they don’t pretend to be a bit stupid, knowing that if they appear to be too bright, man will put them to work and make them pay tax!

Read more

http://www.awf.org/content/wildlife/detail/baboon

http://www.princeton.edu/~baboon/social_life.html