baboon

baboon

baboon any of the large, powerful, ground-living monkeys of the genus Papio, also called dog-faced monkeys. Five subspecies live in Africa, with one species extending into the Arabian peninsula. They have close-set eyes under heavy brow ridges, long, heavy muzzles, powerful jaws, and long, sharp upper canine teeth. Their fur is thick, and in some species males have a mane about the head and shoulders. The heavy tail is of moderate length. The buttock pads, or ischial callosities, are thick and brightly colored; sitting is the favored position for feeding and sleeping. Baboons live in brush, grassland, or rocky country, foraging on the ground for roots, seeds, fruits, insects, and small animals, including other monkeys. Depending on the species, they may gather in troops of 350 individuals or more for protection at sleep sites on rock outcroppings. Baboons are powerful fighters and show little fear of larger animals, including humans. They can successfully take on leopards, their worst enemies. Most species travel in groups of 40 to 80, which are socially based on a core of females and may include several transient males. Some subspecies, like the hamadryas baboon ( Papio hamadryas hamadryas ), form harem groups led by a dominant male and have a highly developed social order. Baboons are subtle, intelligent animals and can become dangerous nuisances if they learn to raid fields or houses for easy food. The gelada ( Theropithecus gelada ) of Ethiopia is closely related to the baboon. It has a bright pink face and buttock pads and a tufted tail. Males use characteristic facial movements and barks to control harems of females during daily foraging. Also closely related are the wildly colorful mandrill and the plainer drill, both forest-dwellers, and the mangabeys. Baboons are classified in the phylum Chordata , subphylum Vertebrata, class Mammalia, order Primates, family Cercopithecidae.

Bibliography: See S. C. Strum, Almost Human (1987).

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"baboon." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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baboon

baboon Large, African monkey with a dog-like face, which walks on all fours. Its buttocks have callus-like pads surrounded by brilliantly coloured skin. Baboons are ground dwellers and active by day, travelling in families and larger troops led by old males, usually in open, rocky country. Their diet consists of plants, insects, and small animals. They can carry food in their cheek pouches. The males have large canine teeth up to 5cm (2in) long. Weight: 14–41kg (30–90lb). Genus Chaeropithecus (or Papio).

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"baboon." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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baboon

ba·boon / baˈboōn/ • n. a large Old World ground-dwelling monkey (Papio, Mandrillus, and other genera, family Cercopithecidae) with a long doglike snout and large teeth. Species include the drill and mandrill. ∎  an ugly or uncouth person. ORIGIN: Middle English: from Old French babuin or medieval Latin babewynus, perhaps from Old French baboue ‘grimace.’

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"baboon." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"baboon." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-baboon.html

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baboon

baboon †grotesque figure XIV; one of a subdivision of monkeys XV. ME. baboyne, babewyn(e) — OF. baboïn (mod. babouin) or medL. babewynus. Ult. orig. uncert.

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T. F. HOAD. "baboon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "baboon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-baboon.html

T. F. HOAD. "baboon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-baboon.html

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baboon

baboon (Papio) See CERCOPITHECIDAE.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "baboon." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "baboon." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-baboon.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "baboon." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-baboon.html

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baboon

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"baboon." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

Survey of infections transmissible between baboons and humans, Cape Town,...
Magazine article from: Emerging Infectious Diseases; 2/29/2012
baboons get their fill in vineyards.(Front)
Newspaper article from: The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA); 3/24/2010
Holy Baboon! A 'Mystical' Moment In Africa
Transcript from: NPR Morning Edition; 12/22/2009

Facts and information from other sites

baboon images
baboon. Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)