Watching the monkeys is always interesting - they are so direct, cute and smart that they can not leave anyone indifferent! What is a dog-headed monkey, what are its features and unusual habits - the following material will tell about this.
Common symptoms and appearance
The generic name includes several subspecies of monkeys, which have a number of similar external and behavioral characteristics. Knowing such features of animals of this genus, it is impossible to confuse them with anyone else.
Dog-headed monkey, or baboon, refers to narrow-nosed primates. They are very smart, live in large groups, strictly observing the principles and traditions of the pack. The baboon is distinguished by the following external characteristics:
- Quite a large size - an average of 70-100 centimeters in height and 25-45 kg in weight. Males are usually larger than females.
- The head seems large in relation to the body. The muzzle is elongated and narrow, and on it there are so-called cheek pouches. This is the structure of the head of the baboons owe their second name - dog-headed monkey (photos of animals are presented in the article).
- A long and thin tail, reaching an average of 50-70 centimeters.
- The coat is thick, not too long. There is much more on the head than on the body and limbs.
- Under the tail of the baboons is the "sciatica" - two pink hairless hemispheres. In females ready for mating, this part of the body turns bright red.
Baboons move mainly on four limbs, can perfectly climb trees, quickly run and jump.
Where can I meet a baboon?
There are not many places where a dog-headed monkey lives in nature. The description of their way of life confirms that these primates need a large area for comfortable living of the entire large flock.
The most comfortable natural environment for baboons is the steppe and savannahs of Africa. Flocks of these animals are most often found in the southern part of the mainland and on the Arabian Peninsula.
Dog-headed monkeys are usually not afraid of people and can settle not far from civilization, doing petty wrecking: they can steal food and even small domestic animals.
During the visits of tourists to safari parks, where baboons live in free conditions, primates do not run away from people, but, on the contrary, expect handouts and goodies from them.
Herbivore hunter: what do monkeys eat?
The diet of such an animal as a dog-headed monkey is very extensive. These animals can eat both plant foods and animal products.
Most often, the menu of baboons consists of fruit trees, berries, root crops, small beetles and reptiles. But, despite the rich plant diet, the baboon is able to hunt and not always for the smallest prey.
Due to the physiological characteristics, the dog-headed monkey is capable of developing serious speed, which allows it to easily catch up with the victim. And thirty-two sharpest teeth, of which quite powerful fangs are clearly distinguished, leave no chance not only for medium-sized animals, such as a dog, but also for large African inhabitants. The male baboon is able to catch and break the gazelle, which indicates the exceptional speed and strength of these animals.
The laws of the pack: the social system of baboons
These primates live in large packs, clearly adhering to the intrageneric hierarchy. At the head of the pack is the strongest male. His "instructions" are obediently obeyed by everyone.
In the daytime, baboons are on the ground, having chosen a vast territory and go about their business. Moreover, the primates are always the same: strong males are on the edges, females and calves are closer to the center. Thanks to this “construction”, the flock will always be able to protect the strongest of its representatives, and it doesn’t matter from which side the enemy has crept up.
A dog-headed monkey has keen eyesight and sees danger from afar. In this case, the leader emits a characteristic sound signal. Other animals can use this signal as well - this kind of warning is hard not to hear.
In case of alarm, baboons climb trees and wait for danger.
Cupid affairs: love and breeding of baboons
An adult female baboon is ready to mate every month. The male and female form a pair during the mating season. It is worth noting that at this time, the "gentleman" is courting only one "lady".
Pregnancy in a female dog-headed monkey lasts an average of six months and ends with the birth of one cub, in very rare cases twins.
Monkeys are very attentive and careful to newborns: at first, the babies are at the mother’s chest, clinging tenaciously to her coat; a little later - on her back. Growing up baboons are increasingly leaving their mother and playing with other cubs, but parental control is not weakening - dog-headed monkeys do not leave children unattended and do not allow them to play too violently.
Caution, danger!
Baboons are not afraid of almost no animals. Even if there are elephants or rhinos on their way, the monkeys are reluctant to give way to them - they perfectly sense that large animals do not threaten them with anything.
The only exceptions are leopards and lions. Thanks to their incredible speed and strength, these predators can successfully hunt baboons. But poaching of these rare animals leads to the fact that their population is sharply reduced, and the natural regulation of reproduction of dog-headed monkeys is waning. In places of catching leopards and lions, a significant increase in the number of primates is noted.
African people have a negative attitude towards these animals. Monkeys are very smart, while strong and sassy. They calmly approach the settlements of people in order to profit from food or domestic animals. Having a person does not scare them, the exception is a strong man with a weapon. A woman and a child a baboon is not only not afraid, but also can attack. Unfortunately, in African villages, there are cases when dog-headed monkeys tore apart or bit children and women to death.
Watching monkeys is extremely interesting: their habits combine the features of the animal world and human nature. But no matter how nice and smart the baboons may be, one should not forget that they are primarily animals that can show aggression and strength at the most unexpected moment.