What kind of animal is a Guinea baboon? We will explain the characteristics, ecology, breeding, and habitat of this monkey. It is a small animal among baboons, so you can take pictures with it, and it mainly lives in Africa. The population of Guinea baboons is very low, and they are now designated as an endangered species.
What is a Guinea Baboon? Basic Stats
The Guinea Baboon belongs to the Mammalia class, Primates order, Capuchin family, and Pavoni genus. Its English name is Guinea Baboon, and its scientific name is Papio papio. Its body length is 45-80cm, and its weight is 13-26kg. Its tail length is 5-7cm. The list of information is as follows.
| Japanese（和名） | ギニアヒヒ |
| English（英名） | Guinea Baboon |
| scientific name(学名) | Papio papio |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、Primates、 Cebidae、Papio 哺乳綱、霊長目、オマキザル科、ヒヒ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Length（体長） | 45～80cm |
| Weight（体重） | 13～26kg |
System/Classification
Guinea baboons are not great apes but are a type of baboon, belonging to the mammalian order Primates. Here is their basic classification:
- 界（Kingdom）：Animalia（動物界）
- 門（Phylum）：Chordata（脊索動物門）
- 綱（Class）：Mammalia（哺乳綱）
- 目（Order）：Primates（霊長目）
- 科（Family）：Cercopithecidae（オナガザル科 / 狭鼻猿科）
- 属（Genus）：Papio（ヒヒ属）
- 種（Species）：Papio papio（ギニアヒヒ）
Habitat
Guinea baboons are found in western Africa.
- Geographic Distribution
Guinea baboons are endemic to West Africa and have a relatively limited distribution.
Country/Region:
Guinea
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Liberia
Gambia
Once widespread in neighboring countries, their populations have declined in some areas due to human activity.
- Environment/Habitat Type
Guinea baboons are terrestrial baboons that primarily spend their time on the ground rather than in trees. Their preferred habitats are as follows:
Savanna
Forages for fruits, grasses, and insects in open grasslands.
Open visibility makes them ideal for spotting predators.
Dry forests and shrublands
Woodlands dotted with small trees and shrubs.
Sometimes rests in the shade of trees, using both ground and treetop habitats.
Near water.
Hydrates near rivers and lakes.
Convenient for gathering grasses, fruits, and insects.
Around farmland and human settlements.
May destroy crops and may come into contact with humans.
Due to their adaptability, they can survive in areas with limited human presence.
- Habitat Characteristics
Adaptable to altitudes from lowlands to mid-mountainous areas.
More open areas make them more active.
Tends to avoid densely forested areas with few hiding places.
Prefers locations near water sources.
What are their characteristics? What kind of creatures are they?
Guinea baboons have brown, yellowish brown, or reddish brown fur, black faces, and small bodies. They have a mane-like shape around their heads and shoulders. Guinea baboons are active on the ground during the day and live in savannas, grasslands, and forest areas.
- Body Size and Morphology
Body Length: Males 50-70 cm, Females slightly smaller
Tail Length: 35-50 cm
Weight: Males 12-20 kg, Females 8-12 kg
Body Type: Sturdy limbs adapted for walking on the ground
Coat Color: Brown to reddish-brown back, grayish-white underbelly
Face: Black nose and mouth, short face with prominent cheekbones
Other: Males have powerful jaws and a strong build, demonstrating clear gender differences
- Behavior and Personality
Mainly terrestrial (although they also use trees, they primarily live on the ground)
Pack Life: Sometimes form packs of 10-100 individuals
Social Structure: Males dominate with a clear hierarchy; females also have a rank within the pack
Vigilance: Highly alert to protect themselves from predators
Intelligence: High, they understand the order within the pack and hunting timing
- Diet
Omnivorous:
Fruits, leaves, seeds
Insects, small mammals
May also prey on eggs and small birds
Foraging Method: Mostly forages on the ground, but occasionally picks shrubs and nuts
- Ecological Impressions
Sociable but with a strong sense of hierarchy
Active and agile: Able to run and climb trees
Flexible and highly adaptable to their environment: Can survive in a variety of environments, including savannas, dry forests, and near water
What are their personalities like?
Guinea baboons are highly social animals that often live in groups. They can form large groups and rest in large groups at night.
- Highly Social
Because they live in groups, they are sociable and value relationships with their peers.
There is a clear hierarchy within the group, and a male-dominated hierarchical society is formed.
Females also have a status within the group, and parent-child and kinship relationships are important.
- Vigilance and Cautious
They are extremely cautious to protect themselves from predators (lions, crocodiles, leopards, etc.).
Because they primarily live on the ground in open areas, they are sensitive to changes in their surroundings.
If they sense danger, they will climb trees or howl or call out to alert others.
- Highly Intelligent and Adaptable
They use their intelligence when searching for food and maintaining order within the group.
They are highly adaptable primates, able to change their behavior depending on the environment and food supply.
They rarely use tools, but they will cooperate to obtain prey and food.
- Active and Inquisitive
Children and young individuals are particularly playful and inquisitive.
Playing in a group helps develop social skills and hunting and feeding skills.
- Aggression and Defensiveness
Males can be aggressive when defending their territory or females.
They also use force to compete for rank within the group.
They are generally wary of humans and other animals, but can be bold when food or the safety of the group is at stake.
What is their ecology like?
Guinea baboons live by eating small animals and crustaceans such as crabs. They breed throughout the year and are said to be polygamous, with a gestation period of six months. They lactate for six months, and reach sexual maturity in males after 5 to 6 years and females after 4 to 5 years. They have a lifespan of about 20 to 30 years.
- Lifestyle
Mainly terrestrial, occasionally climbing trees.
Activity Period: Diurnal (active during the day)
Behavior Pattern:
Traveling in groups to search for food
Resting and napping in safe places
- Group/Social Structure
Group Size: Forms large groups of 10-100 individuals
Social Structure:
Male-dominant hierarchy (dominance system)
Females maintain a stable status centered on the matriarchy
Communication:
Communicates through vocalizations, facial expressions, and body movements
Warns of predators and danger with howls and warning calls
- Diet/Foraging
Omnivorous:
Fruits, leaves, seeds, and grasses
Insects, small mammals, and bird eggs
Foraging Behavior:
Mainly forages on the ground
Sometimes gathers shrubs and nuts
May cooperate in groups to obtain food
- Breeding and Rearing
Breeding:
Once or twice a year, depending on the region
Give births to 1-2 pups (small numbers) at a time
Rearing:
Females are primarily responsible for rearing, with help from relatives within the pack
Chubby animals acquire social and feeding skills through play
- Habitat Relationship
Adaptable to a variety of environments, including savanna, dry forest, shrubland, and areas near water
Prefers open land and areas with water sources
Due to frequent herd movements, they require a wide range of habitats
Do they have any natural enemies?
Guinea baboons’ natural enemies are lions and hyenas. When an enemy approaches, they scream loudly to warn others and help each other out.
About Guinea Baboon Babies
This article provides a detailed overview of the characteristics and ecology of young Guinea baboons (Papio papio).
- Birth and Physical Characteristics
Birth: Once a year, 1-2 cubs per litter
Birth Weight: Approximately 0.5-1 kg
Coat Color: Light brown or gray immediately after birth, paler than the reddish-brown of adults
Appearance: Black face, large, expressive eyes
Body Type: Small, with thin limbs and underdeveloped agility
- Developmental Stages
Neonatal Period (0-2 weeks)
Spends time in mother’s arms
Eyes are open, but movements are immature
Receives nutrition from breast milk
Early Pup (2-8 weeks)
Legs become stronger, and they are able to walk and scurry
Begins playing with other pups in the pack and their mother
Late Pup (2-6 months)
Small amounts of solid food (fruit and insects) are introduced
Learns social and foraging skills through play and imitation
Gradually acquires vigilance and defensive behaviors
Weaning and Pre-Independence Period (6-12 months)
Participates in small-scale migrations and hunts within the pack
Learns social hierarchy and pack rules
Approximately independent by around 1 year of age, becoming independent and acting independently within the pack
- Baby Behavior and Personality
Curious and playful
Develops physical strength, agility, and social skills through play
Dependent on mother and pack
Relies on mother for danger detection and food security
High learning ability
Learns by observing the behavior of other adult pack members
Develops vigilance
Dealing with danger and predators is well-established within the first few months of life
- Safety Measures/Den
Mothers hide their baby in safe places like dens or bushes
Cooperation within the pack is also important to protect the baby from predators and other males
Are Guinea baboons an endangered species?
Guinea baboons are designated as an endangered species due to habitat loss caused by development and other factors.
- IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Assessment
Guinea baboons are classified as “EN (Endangered)” (Critically Endangered).
Reasons:
Small distribution (limited to certain West African countries)
Populations are declining
Vulnerable to habitat destruction and hunting
- Causes of Decline
Habitat Destruction
Habitat Reduction due to Deforestation and Agricultural Development
Decreased Savanna and Shrubland Areas Also Impact
Hunting and Poaching
Sometimes captured for food
Over-hunting leads to population decline
Impacts of Human Activities
Horde fragmentation due to road construction and urbanization
Sometimes exterminated due to competition with livestock and crop damage
- Conservation Efforts
Habitat protection is provided in national parks and protected areas in several West African countries
Objectives of Conservation Efforts:
Maintaining population sizes
Ensuring genetic diversity
Habitat Management and Restoration
Can you keep Guinea baboons as pets?
Guinea baboons are designated as an endangered species, so the general public cannot keep them as pets. You can see them at zoos, etc.
- Nature of Wild Animals
Guinea baboons are wild primates and have not been fully domesticated.
Characteristic Personality:
Highly social and live in groups.
Highly alert and aggressive (males, in particular, can be aggressive in territorial and hierarchical disputes).
Highly intelligent, curious, and agile.
As adults, their wild instincts remain strong, making them extremely difficult to keep as pets.
- Legal and Regulatory Aspects
Guinea baboons are native to West Africa and are an endangered species (IUCN: EN).
In many countries, they are considered wild and rare, and special permission is required to keep them.
In Japan:
They may be designated as “designated animals” or subject to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Keeping them without permission may result in penalties (fines and imprisonment).
- Difficulty of Raising
They generally live in groups: Keeping them alone can lead to stress and aggression.
They require ample space for exercise: Because they are agile and active, small spaces can have a negative impact on their health and mental well-being.
Dietary management is complex: They require a balanced diet of fruits, leaves, and insects, making them an omnivorous animal.
Special medical and veterinary care: They require different disease and health management methods than regular dogs and cats.
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