The fascination of Anubis Baboons

Being a Baboon seems like quite a fun lifestyle. At least if you’re a male. There’s a nursing female carrying an infant in the corner. That seems less appealing. But then, I am a man.

This male is having the time of his life. Enough food. Other Baboons to perform lookout duties. The warmth of the sun. Surrounded by a troop of females. Perfect.

Anubis Baboons, also known as Olive Baboons, have complex social structures, multiple calls and other vocalisations, and clear signalling through facial expression. They do eyebrow raising, molar grinding, staring, and yawning to threaten other baboons. Sounds like some of the people I meet in The Swan in Newton Abbot when I watch the football.

Their pale pink eyelids on their black face, surrounded by all that olive-green fur are very distinctive.

He gives a mighty yawn, or is it a threat display? Maybe both.

Males are much larger than females, have larger canines and a large mane.

New males joining a troop often make friends with females and form strong non-sexual alliances. She gets protection; he gets acceptance. She gets a baby-sitter so she can forage and feed; he gets someone who will groom him and travel and feed with him. She gets a male friend who will chase off other unwanted male suitors; he gets the chance of a possible future sexual partner. Plus a male carrying a female’s baby is less likely to be attacked by another male. Seems like win-win to me.

It’s fascinating that the rules of relationships, competition and combat in animals are based upon exactly the same evolution of decision-making which governs human morality.

This male’s having to groom himself, though.

Which is clearly a tiring thing to have to do.

I fancy an afternoon doze as well.

I’ll have to wait for a snooze until we get to Muthoki Country Lodge, in Wamunyu, Machakos County, our home for the next week, as I take part in a literacy programme with a group of volunteers with Kenya Connect.

I wonder if I’ll raise any eyebrows?