The chacma, or Cape, baboon (Papio ursinus) is a large, dog-faced primate of southern Africa and a common sight in the Kruger. Highly intelligent and intensely social, it lives in troops with a complex hierarchy. Omnivorous and adaptable, it forages by day across woodland, savannah and rocky country.
Name
Cape Baboon (Papio ursinus)
Appearance
The Cape Baboon is a primate that has the face that resembles that of a dog and has large canines. A fully-grown male Cape Baboon can reach up to 1.5m from its head to its tail and weighs up to 33kg. The female is slenderer, weighs less and is a bit smaller than the male.
Diet
Baboons are omnivorous animals, meaning they eat meat, fruit and vegetables. They have also been known to eat scorpions, fish, insects and the flesh of other animals, dead or alive. Troops have been known to raid crops from farms which also means that they also eat crops.
Breeding
Baboons have no breeding season and are sexually active throughout the year. After a gestation period of 140 days, the female will give birth to a single youngling. The only natural threat the baboons fac are leopards and cheetah.
Behaviour
Baboons are animals that lie in large groups, called troops, that can be up to 100 members strong. These troops have a very complicated social order. Baboons are very territorial and can be very aggressive towards anything nearby and usually attack or defend in groups.
Where can they be found?
Chacma Baboons have a large area where they can be found, including the Kruger Park where they are a common sight during a Kruger Safari. They live in semi-Alpine areas as well as semi-desert and woodland areas. They are spread out across most of southern Africa and the neighboring countries. In the North, the Chacma Baboon is replaced by the Yellow Baboon.
Interesting notes
Though the baboon falls prey to leopards and cheetahs, they have been known to hold their ground against these predators and there have been cases of baboons viciously ripping them apart, though it is a very rare sight you could still see it while on a Kruger Park Safari. In the Cape, they are a huge pest as they raid the houses of people and this usually leads to a bloody confrontation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do baboons eat?
Chacma baboons are omnivores with a very broad diet. They eat fruit, seeds, roots and other plant matter, along with insects, scorpions, fish and the flesh of other animals, alive or dead. Troops sometimes raid crops on farms, which brings them into conflict with people.
How are baboon troops organised?
Baboons live in troops that can be up to about 100 strong, held together by a complex social order. The group is territorial and can be aggressive, usually defending or attacking together. Strong bonds, grooming and a clear hierarchy keep the troop coordinated as it forages and guards against predators.
Are baboons dangerous, and should you feed them?
Never feed baboons. They are strong, bold and can be aggressive, and once they learn to associate cars and people with food they may raid vehicles and lodges. Keep car windows up and food out of sight. Left alone, troops generally ignore people, but a habituated baboon can become a real hazard.
What are a baboon's natural predators?
The main natural predators of chacma baboons are leopards and cheetahs, which usually target them at night while they are roosting. Baboons are not defenceless, however: troops mob a predator together, and there are rare records of them turning the tables and killing a leopard or cheetah.
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