The Hamadryas Baboon (Papio hamadryas) is a large Afro-Asiatic primate featured in the Zookeepers Animal Pack DLC for Planet Zoo.
Zoopedia Description[]
General[]
Population In Wild: Unknown
The hamadryas baboon (or Papio hamadryas) is a species of baboon, a large and mostly terrestrial primate, native to Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia in the horn of Africa and Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula. Hamadryas baboons exhibit extreme sexual dimorphism not just in size, but also appearance. Both sexes are covered in shaggy fur, which is brown in females and silvery-white in males. Additionally, males have a thick mane, or cape, around the neck and a ruff of hair around the cheeks. With a dog-like snout, the face is hairless and red-brown in color. Baboons have conspicuous callosities on their buttocks, thickened patches of naked skin that allow them to sit comfortably on branches and other rough surfaces. Male hamadryas baboons are about twice as large as females, measuring 70cm (27.5in) to 95cm (37in) in head-body length, with a 42cm to 60cm long tail and weight of 15kg (33lb) to 30kg (66lb). Females are 50cm (20in) to 65cm (26in) long, with a 37cm to 41cm long tail, and weigh only 10kg (22lb) to 15kg (33lb).
Hamadryas baboons are a species of Least Concern and therefore not endangered. While they may be impacted by habitat loss or agricultural land conversion, population numbers in the wild are increasing.
Social[]
Hamadryas baboons are highly social primates with a complex group structure that follows a strictly patriarchal system. Mature males leads harems of females in so-called one-male units, or OMU. While related males and their harems remain close to each other in clan structures, each male is extremely possessive of his females and they may sometimes fights and transfer them between harems. Multiple clans in turn may travel together to make up whole bands of several hundred individuals. Young males may attach themselves to an OMU as 'follower males' and try to start their own harem with immature females. Solitary males within the band may attempt to challenge and take over another male's harem.
Reproduction[]
Hamadryas baboons can breed year-round. Males will mate with any of his harem's females in estrus, which will happen roughly every month. During a female's respective period, she will initiate mating with her male several times per hour. Follower males may attempt to mate with an OMUs receptive females if the leader is not nearby.
After successful conception, the female is pregnant for 172 days and gives birth to a single infant. This infant is highly dependent on its mother for several months, with weaning complete around 8 months old.
Female hamadryas baboons reach sexual maturity at around 4 years old, while males become sexually mature between 5 to 7 years old. Females are likely to breed successfully soon after maturation as they join the harem, males may only be able to successfully establish their own OMU when reaching full adult size at 10 years old, and will live as solitary or follower males in their band until then.
Animal Care[]
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Monkey Chow · Fruit and Insects · Small Vertebrates | |
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FOOD ENRICHMENT |
HABITAT ENRICHMENT |
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COMPATIBLE ANIMALS |
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Trivia[]
Zoopedia Fun Facts[]
- The name 'hamadryas' is an Ancient Greek compound word that refers to a dryad that lives inside a tree.
- The patriarchal social structure of the hamadryas baboon is unique among the baboon species.
- Hamadryas baboons were deified in Ancient Egypt; the god Thoth was often depicted with the head of a baboon and associated with wisdom, science, magic and judgement.
- Baboons live in open grasslands and woodlands due to their largely terrestrial nature. During the day, they walk on the ground foraging for food, and during the night they will climb trees and cliffs to sleep.
- Hamadryas baboons are opportunistic omnivores and will eat anything from grasses, seeds and fruit to fish, carrion, and even fresh meat from birds, small monkeys or young antelopes. In populated areas, they have been raiding waste bins for food, eaten crops from farms and preyed upon poultry or small goats.
Other Trivia[]
- The Hamadryas baboon is the only baboon species found outside of Africa.
- Despite being found in southern Arabia and being listed as an animal found in Yemen by the zoopedia, the Hamadryas Baboon does not have the Asia tag assigned to it.
Gallery[]
