Olive baboon
The olive baboon is a species of the genus Papio, smaller than its counterparts and, as its name suggests, primarily inhabits the savanna.
Appearance
Steppe baboons can be particularly well recognized by their fur, which is light brown to grayish brown in color. In addition, many of the males have a kind of mane that surrounds the head, making it appear larger. On average, the males have a head and body length of 85 centimeters, while the females are about 20 centimeters smaller. The body weight of these primates can range between 17 and 28 kilograms, which is mainly influenced by their habitat and sex. Under good living conditions, it is not uncommon for these monkeys to live over 40 years.
Diet
Where is the main habitat of the steppe baboons in Africa? Above all, the animals are found in the savannas or lightly wooded areas of East Africa. Particularly worth mentioning here are the countries Kenya, Tanzania and Botswana. This relatively large distribution is due to the fact that the steppe baboon has a broad diet, so they can find something edible almost anywhere. The diet of this baboon species includes herbs, grasses, roots, flowers, young shoots, tubers, seeds and of course fruits. Furthermore, steppe baboons do not disdain small African mammals, insects or reptiles.
Behavior
Although the steppe baboon, as the name suggests, lives mainly in the steppes, i.e., on the ground, they are quite good climbers. This is mainly because they can better protect themselves from predators in the trees. As is the case with most primates and specifically baboons, steppe baboons live in larger groups. These groups are led by a dominant male who has earned his position in the hierarchy. The females remain in the same troop for life, while the young males must find their own group once they have reached sexual maturity.
