THE BABOON IS INTELLIGENT, ANCIENT, VERSATILE, HUMAN-LIKE AND A CONFIDENT OPPORTUNIST

Baboons are primates comprising the genus Papio. There are five different species of baboons, commonly known as Hamadryas baboon, Guinea baboon, Olive baboon, Yellow baboon and Chacma baboon.

Baboons are terrestrial, but sleep in trees, or on high cliffs or rocks at night, away from predators. They are omnivorous and live in hierarchical troops containing harems.

Baboons have existed for at least two million years. Baboons in captivity live up to 45 years, while in the wild they average between 20 to 30 years.

Baboons are able to acquire orthographic processing skills, which form part of the ability to read.

Baboons have over 30 distinct vocalizations including grunts and screams, in addition to a plethora of non-vocal gestures such as shrugging and lip smacking.

Baboons are noisy and sociable animals. They exhibit many behavioral traits that are considered to be ‘human-like’. A group of baboons is referred to as a “troop”

In Egyptian mythology, Babi was the deification of the Hamadryas baboon admired for its intelligence and was therefore known as the sacred baboon.

So what wisdom can we emulate from the traits of the baboon?

BABOONS CAN DETERMINE FROM VOCAL EXCHANGES WHAT THE DOMINANCE RELATIONS ARE BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS