Baboon (scientific name:Papio）It is a genus of primate and monkey family, commonly known as baboon.There are 6 kinds:Papio hamadryas 、Guinea baboon、Olive baboon 、Papio cynocephalus 、Papio ursinus andJinda baboon。The species of this genus is relatively large, ranking second only to primatespongo The body length is 50.8-114.2 cm, the tail length is 38.2-71.1 cm, and the weight can reach 60 kg;The head is thick and long, the snout is prominent, the ears are small, the eyebrow arch is prominent, the eyes are deep, and the canine teeth are long and sharp, up to 5cm;Cheek pouch;The body is strong, four limbs are equal in length, short and thick, suitable for ground activities;There are colorful calluses on the buttocks;The hair is yellow, yellowish brown, greenish brown to brown, and the tail is generally dark;The hair is coarse. There are short hairs on the face and ears. In males, there are long hairs around the face, neck and shoulders, while in females, there are short hairs.[1][6]
It inhabits tropical rainforests, savannahs, semi desert grasslands, plateau mountains, low mountains and hills, plains or canyon cliffs.It mainly moves on the ground and also climbs onto trees to sleep or look for food.Good at swimming.It can make a loud noise.It is active during the day and perches in big branches or caves at night.Food includes all kinds of small animals and plants.They live in groups with more than ten to more than one hundred in each group.The main natural enemy is leopard.There is no fixed breeding season, and one litter per litter.The wild life is about 20 years.It is mainly distributed in Africa, and some species are also found in the Arabian Peninsula.[6]
Baboons are large members of the baboon family, weighing between 10 and 31 kg.Females of all species are roughly the same size (about 10 to 15 kg), but males are much larger.The largest difference between male and female body types occurred in the populations of Arabian baboon and ragtail baboon.The head is thick and long, the snout is prominent, the eyebrow arch is prominent, the eyebrow bone is high and protruding, the eyes are dark and deep, the edges and corners are clear, the face has a very high bulge line, the color is bright blue and purple, the nose is dark red, the bridge of the nose is straight to the forehead, the ears are small, the canine teeth are long and sharpBuccal pouch；The body is strong, the limbs are equal in length, short and thick, and suitable for ground activities;There are colorful calluses on the buttocks;The fur color ranges from yellow to red, from olive grey to black.The color of young animals is always very bright, usually with black fur, but in some species, brown or brownish red fur is the characteristic of young animals.Males may have prominent manes.The face is almost bare, and the palms and soles of feet are completely bare.;The body hair is rough, and there are short hairs on the face and ears. In males, there are long hairs around the face, neck and shoulders, while in females, there are short hairs.The tail is long and thin, and the buttocks have a bright red color.The male is grayish brown, and the female is brownish green.The canine teeth on the upper jaw of male animals are long and prominent, and long hairs are scattered from both sides of the head to the shoulders and back,[1][6]
All baboon species show obviousGender dimorphism, usually in shape, but sometimes also in color.Compared with females, males have larger upper canines and use them to express threats.Male baboons also have large white manes.[6]
Long face has an obvious nose and mouth.The tooth form of the teeth is (i 2/2,c 1/1，pm 2/2，m 3/3）x 2 = 32。The lower incisors tend to be straight up and in contact with the canines, while the lower incisors tend to be straight up and in contact with the canines.The upper teeth are closely arranged and separated from the canine teeth through large gaps.The upper canine teeth are very long, which is very prominent in males.[6]
Baboons have large sitting bonesCalloseMale baboons fuse along the midline, but female baboons are separated by genitals.The skin around these calluses tends to be red or black, depending on the species, without hair.In the middle period of menstruation, the skin of the female's anus and genitals will swell and become red during pregnancy, making the buttocks more obvious.[6]
Baboons are quadruped animals, and most species seem to have stiff legs.The weight is borne by the fingers on the forelimb (toe line), but the weight is borne by the rear foot on the entire sole of the foot (toe line).The thumb is relatively long and can accurately grasp and manipulate objects.The tail is arched, and different species have different arched shapes.[6]
Species are inbred, and hybridization often occurs in areas adjacent to populations.In general, all members of the genus are very similar in appearance, but their hair color (olive, brown, black, yellow, red, gray) and hair length are different.MaleManeOr collar hair may be obvious and vary from species to species.Body shape varies by species and region.[6]
It lives in tropical rainforests, savannahs, semi desert grasslands and plateau mountains, and prefers to live in the open and rocky low hills, plains or canyon cliffs here.It is distributed in the open prairie, open woodland and hills in Africa.They live in a variety of habitat types, including grassland, woodland, semi-arid and arid savanna, dry grassland, alpine woodland, sub desertLong Corridor ForestAnd rainforests.[1][6]
The main features of all baboon habitats include a stable water source and some type of elevated sleeping place.These sleeping places are usually big trees or cliffs, where baboons can spend the night to reduce the threat of predation.Few people know that baboons are willing to sleep on the ground.[6]
Distribution map of baboons (picture: Li Sheng Jiuzhi; Chinese name: Dongli Xiaoju Note)[11]
Life habits
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Grade
Baboons are the only advanced monkeys that live in large camps among monkeys.Baboons are also one of the monkeys with the most rigorous social life. They have obvious hierarchical order and strict discipline. The cruelty of punishment is appalling.The baboon population in the wild will fight, or divide into groups or change the king after a cycle of several years.Because the rule of the baboon kingdom is to trade the old for the new and the strong for the weak.Baboon generalSexual maturityAt the age of six or so, its aggressive nature also has the reproductive factor of competing for mates.Of course, baboon groups do not always fight with each other. Generally, after the new king is born, they will be very stable for a long time, and the population will grow rapidly as the reproduction increases.At this time, the baboon king would also take the initiative to show friendship to male and female baboons with low status and trim their hair, which further consolidated his status. The baboons also competed to flatter the king. The king just dressed his subordinate's hair symbolically, while the baboons with low status tried their best to do so, so the king's hair was always shiny, smooth, and could be seen at a glance.[2]
activity
It is a terrestrial animal (living on the ground), mainly moving on the ground, and also climbing trees to sleep or forage.Good at swimming.It can make a loud noise.It is active during the day and perches in big branches or caves at night.Food includes all kinds of small animals and plants.The size of each group is usually 30-60 animals, and there are also large groups of 200-300 animals.The number of females is more, but the status of males is higher.Male East African baboons decide their class by fighting. Only high-level male baboons can mate with female baboons in rut.The group is led by an old and strong male baboon, and there is a special watcher in the group who is responsible for warning the arrival of the enemy. When retreating, the first thing is the female and the young. The male is behind to protect, make a threatening roar, or even fight back. It is brave because of its strength, and can pose a threat to the aggressor.The main natural enemy is leopard.[3]
communication
According to scientific research, the survival rate of children born and raised by female baboons who like to gather and communicate is particularly high.It is still a mystery what role baboons' sociability can play in the prosperity of their families or genetic genes.However, some research data on baboons show that communication between baboons helps to comb their fur and reduce the number of heart rate beats, that is, ease their mood, and promote theEndorphin(One of the endogenous morphine like substances related to analgesia) secretion is accelerated to eliminate tension.[4]
According to previous observation data, psychologists also found that when male baboons face danger, they either return to each other in the same way of intimidation or flee, while female baboons will send a distress signal to their partners when they face danger.Not long ago《science》The magazine also published research results on female baboons, a critical treatment method.[4]
Feeding habits
Omnivorous, able to find food in almost any environment, including plantsCreeping plant, twigs, leaves, grass, roots, bark, buds, fruits（Durian、Nephelium lappaceum L.、jackfruit, litchiMango、Reverse twister, fig), lichens, tubers, seeds, mushrooms, bulbs, and rhizomes.In dry and arid areas, such as the desert in the northeast, small invertebrates such as insectsGrub, spiders and scorpions.Occasionally eat birds and smallvertebrate。They often attack human homes. In South Africa, they break into homes and cars to find food.Baboons also attack farms, eat crops and prey on sheep, goats and poultry.Usually drink water at noon.[2]
Distribution range
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Distributed in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Senegal, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, CameroonCentral African Republic, Chad, DRC, Congo Brazzaville, C ô te d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda.[5]
It is distributed in Ethiopia, mainly in sub Saharan Africa.Isolated populations occur in the northern Sahara.Arab baboons are distributed in Ethiopia, the Palaearctic, Yemen and the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia.The Baboon population of the Palaearctic Group has existed in the recorded history of the region, but it is believed that it was introduced by humans, possibly by sinking ships or imported sometime in the past 4000 years.[6]
Baboon distribution map[9]
Reproductive mode
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mating
The reproduction and mating system of Baboon can be divided into two main types.The first is mixed mating in a polygamous or polygamous population, which is found in all species except baboons.The second is mating within a single male social unit, usually found in Arabian baboons, but occasionally reported in East African baboons, steppe baboons and ragtail baboons.[6]
In the multi female and multi male ethnic group, females attract males through the swelling of their brightly colored anal genital areas during a long estrous period.The oestrus swelling usually lasts for many days, during which the male may actively compete to approach the female.It is reported that female baboons have a pregnancy period of 15-20 days in the middle of the estrous cycle.Female baboons are receptive throughout the cycle, but the mating peak is in the middle of the cycle.Olfactory cues may indicate female reproductive receptivity.Female baboons produce fatty acids that enhance their attractiveness to potential mates.[6]
Some males, usually middle and senior aged males, can form a stable mate relationship with females by excluding competitors.Young males often try to "steal" females from older males, but these older males may form alliances to prevent this from happening.In any case, the success of male female mating is often related to its long-term relationship with females.In the non estrus period, females are more cooperative with males who often communicate in a friendly way.These males usually support females in conflicts between females and other females or males, and support female offspring in peer conflicts.These males are also more likely to share food with the offspring of "close" female friends.[6]
The mating of baboon species began to follow a ritual pattern.The female usually shows her hindquarters to the male to show that she is willing to accept sex.Female baboons also raise their eyebrows and flatten their ears when looking at males.The male may initiate mating by smacking his lips, making friendly expressions or gently pushing the female to lure her to stand.Mating can be carried out in a single mount (East African baboon) or in a series of mounts (e.g., ragtail baboon, Arabian baboon).The information on mating frequency is uneven, but it is known that female grassland baboons mate 1-6 times per hour, and female baboons mate 7-14 times per hour.Pregnant females usually turn their pubic skin red and will not mate.[6]
Unlike other baboons competing for females, Arab baboons rarely have such open competition.Single males will establish a "harem" composed of females, which will always protect them from other males, not just in the rut.The male actively grazes the female and keeps the social units together during foraging.The male actively suppresses aggression between females.Although sometimes these monoandrous sex units may have another male as a "follower", male followers rarely interact with females.[6]
In some cases, monoandroid units are also found in other baboons, which is obviously usually the result of statistical randomness of species.When this happens, the male will usually control the actions of the group females more strongly, and intervene more frequently in the conflicts between females to produce greater effects.[6]
Male baboons usually attract mates through two mechanisms.The first is to kidnap a young female from her mother.The male takes care of the female, combs her hair, and carries her when necessary until she is mature, when the male will mate with her.Females usually leave the birth group after maturity, and are usually attracted by males who already have females. Therefore, kidnapping is an effective strategy for males to establish family units.The second strategy adopted by the male is to take over the existing harem by directly attacking and replacing the lifelong male.This strategy is complicated by the complex social relationship between males. Males may intervene to support brothers, cousins, uncles or fathers in such conflicts.[6]
An interesting correlation between these different mating systems is the timing of testicular development in young males.In the East African baboon, the testes continue to grow in adolescence until they reach the adult size, while in the middle, the growth and development of the testes are still in a sub adult state in the male.As a result, the testes of Arab baboons are significantly smaller than those of East African baboons, as predicted by the sperm competition theory model.[6]
birth
Most members of the genus Baboon reproduce throughout the year, although some populations may reproduce seasonally.The female cycle length is 30-40 days, and varies with species, age, female reproductive history, social status and ecological variables.Information on pregnancy length is mixed.Pregnancy lasts about 180 days for baboons in East Africa, 161-175 days for steppe baboons, 172 days for Arab baboons, and 187 days for ragtail baboons.[6]
Most species and populations have a birth peak.The peak time varies, but it is usually the end of the dry season or the beginning of the rainy season.Lactation lasts until 6-15 months, depending on species, time of birth, weaning availability, maternal grade, and other variables.Baboon cubs usually weigh about 600-900g at birth, 1068g at birth, and 854g at birth.Newborns have a distinctive color of fur (black, brown or reddish brown), which will remain until about weaning age. At this time, they will change into more typical fur of adults of this species.[6]
Baboons have a litter interval of 12-34 months.It is not clear whether the reported differences in birth spacing are due to genetic differences between populations and species, or ecological and social differences.[6]
Females may reach menarche between 3-6 years old.This may occur before the full eruption of adult teeth and before reaching adult body size.Males enter puberty at the age of 4-6.The testes may mature before reaching the adult size, and canine teeth fully erupt, such as the Arab baboon, or they may continue to grow until reaching the adult size, such as the East African baboon.[6]
Breed
The care of the young is mainly provided by the mother.Females feed, carry, groom, and support their peers in times of intense conflict.Babies will contact their mothers and sleep until they are nearly one year old.Females other than their mothers may try to comb or hug newborn monkeys, and in some cases, it is known that they will kidnap newborns from their mothers.If the young monkey does not return to lactation immediately, it may die.Therefore, this behavior is interpreted as harassment, not heterogamy.[6]
There are some interesting interaction patterns between males and young monkeys, which are sometimes interpreted as parental care.Males usually use young monkeys as a buffer against other males' attacks. If another male's attack is imminent, they will hold the baby tightly.This seems to be effective, because if the male holding the baby monkey is actually attacked, the mother and her female relatives will be involved in the conflict.It is obvious that potentially aggressive males will think twice before inciting aggression, because this may arouse female resentment.[6]
Males usually have a special relationship with the young monkeys they use in this way.The males groom the young monkeys, carry and share food.They sometimes intervene in conflicts between young monkeys and young monkeys of the same age.If the mother dies, the male will take care of the orphan and use it as a buffer for competition to provide some basic functions that the mother usually plays.This behavior may indeed be paternal, because young monkeys usually only allow themselves to be buffered by males who are close to their mothers.As male partners who are closely related to females have greater opportunities to have offspring, the additional care of male "buffer" monkeys may flow to their potential offspring.[6]
life
It is reported that baboon members can live up to 45 years in captivity.It is more difficult to assess the life span of wild animals, because even if long-term research is carried out on these wild animals, it is impossible to provide accurate information on the age of animals migrating into the community, nor to track the final fate of animals migrating out of the community.For a population, the longest life span of wild populations may be 30-40 years.[6]
Baboons are abundant and widely distributed in Africa.Because they can eat crops, local farmers hate baboons and often shoot them.The natural enemies are lions, cheetahs and other carnivorous animals inhabiting Africa.[6]
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora lists all baboon species in Appendix II, so in theory, the international trade of these animals or their body parts is regulated by the government.[6]
Related culture
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Ancient Egyptians andPharaohThey call baboonsHeliosMy son, because every morning baboons are the first time to greet the rising of the sun, very devout.[2]
In the origin of Arab baboon, it was once regarded as the "holy monkey" in ancient times, and was regarded as the representative or attendant of the literary god "Zos". It was carved on the stone pillars of the temple, and is one of the precious ornamental animals in zoos around the world.The Arab baboon tamed by people can watch people's homes, coax children and collect fresh fruits. It is also a good helper of local shepherds and can serve the owner wholeheartedly.It will also count the number of sheep. If it finds that there are few sheep missing in the sheep pen, it will try to call back the lost lambs that cannot return home, so as to get the owner's reward.[2]
scientific research
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Scientists from the University of Iowa in the United States found that baboons have the ability of complex abstract reasoning, which must be based on the analogy thinking connection, which is the basis of human intelligence and reasoning ability.This discovery will greatly promote the study of human intelligence evolution.
Professor Ken Wassman said that before this discovery, there was no evidence that other than human andchimpanzeeOther animals have the ability of abstract thinking.Of course, baboons with this kind of thinking ability does not mean that they can be equated with chimpanzees.Because baboons have no language ability, all this finding will help experts study whether language affects intelligence and how it affects intelligence.[7]
Scientists have observed the ecological habits of baboons. To facilitate research, baboons are divided into three groups: A, B and C, with the number of 45, 50 and 73 respectively. Group C includes 11 adult males, 18 females, 25 sub adults and 19 juveniles.The observation found that baboons only switched to seafood in winter when there was a lack of food such as roots, seeds, berries, etc.Generally, only the sub adults in the group will take risks to try to climb smooth rocks and wade into the cold sea water for foodCrustaceaAnimals - mainlyMusselandLimpetSometimes it also includes delicious shrimp or crab.Scientists have discussed why only young male individuals eat seafood. They believe that canine teeth representing their gender characteristics are growing, and their teeth are just the size to bite the fragile shells of mussels and cowhells. Younger and female individuals lack this beneficial "tool".The problem faced by adult males is just the opposite. Their teeth are too powerful, and they often crush the shells.In the season of food shortage, if young individuals can differentiate food through this behavior, it will be conducive to the survival of the entire population.In 1996, scientists conducted another behavioral study on baboons in the same area and found that in autumn, group C baboons did not wade into the water to feed, but waited patiently for the tide to recede, which was inconsistent with the previous conclusion. Maybe the behavior of baboons was not seasonal, or withecosystemWith the constant change of the diet, seafood has become an indispensable part of the diet.manyAlien plantDue to accidental invasion of the island, a study shows that 20% of local plants have been replaced by exotic plants.The disappearance of palatable plants may also be one of the reasons that force baboons to turn their food to seafood.[8]
Maternal love has always been considered as the instinct of mammals, while paternal love is largely ignored except for a few unusual species.In mammals, it is rare for males to take care of their young, especially in the group with multi males and multi females living in groups and unstable mating relationship. The strong bond between the parents of the young may not exist.So researchers have long wondered whether males in mammalian populations can recognize their children.The British magazine Nature published on September 11, 2010 gave these skeptics a powerful fight back.
Nature reported that the latest research by American scientists found that male baboons can recognize their own children, and obviously support and protect their own children. Especially when arguing with other groups, male baboons will protect their children from harm, showing great fatherly love.
This discovery was made by a group of American scientists in Africa since 1971KilimanjaroAccording to the long-term study of baboon populations in 5 wild grasslands in the Lower Amboseli Basin.From July 1999 to July 2002, the research team observed the daily life of baboons and recorded the interference and mediation of baboon fathers in disputes and fights between young baboons.In order to facilitate observation, they collected DNA and madePaternity test, confirm their respective fathers for young baboons, and find their children for male baboons. The result shows that male baboons obviously protect their own babies and neglect others' children.This discovery makes people have to re look at the ability of male mammals to identify their own children, and re explore the evolutionary roots of hybrid mating patterns.[7]
