The Savannah Baboon (Papio cynocephalus), or Yellow Baboon, is a large terrestrial primate found in south-central and eastern Africa.

The Savannah Baboon has thick, rough, brown fur on its body, with a hairless face and protruding nose. It has a short tail and rough patches on its buttocks (called ischial callosities) that provide a pad for sitting.

Savannah Baboon

It can grow to 50 centimetres (20 inches) tall.

The Savannah Baboon is omnivorous, eating almost anything, although it prefers leaves and insects. It is a forager, which means that it eats at irregular times throughout the day and night. Its predators include the Nile crocodile, lion, hyena, leopard, and cheetah.

Savannah Baboon

It lives in hierarchical groups called troops, varying from 5-250 individuals. The male baboon competes for dominance within a troop, and it is very protective of its group. Different troops avoid each other, staying in their own territorial space.

The female Savannah Baboon is pregnant for about 180 days before giving birth to one live baby. The young baboon stays close to its mother, riding on her back as she walks along the ground. It will leave its mother after about one year.

Baboons in captivity have been known to live up to 45 years, while in the wild their life expectancy is about 30 years.

Savannah Baboon

Savannah Baboon

Savannah Baboon

Savannah Baboon

[Location of photographs: Nairobi, Kenya]

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM