Olive Baboon
Papio anubis
Quick answer
The olive baboon is a large African monkey living in troops of up to 150 across savannas and increasingly at human edges. Weighing about 30 kg, living up to 30 years, and running 45 km/h, it navigates complex dominance hierarchies and strong jaws for omnivorous feeding.
Olive Baboon facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Papio anubis |
|---|---|
| Diet | Omnivore — grasses, seeds, insects, small mammals, and crops |
| Habitat | Savannas, woodlands, and rocky hills of equatorial Africa |
| Lifespan | 25–30 years in the wild (longer in captivity) |
| Weight | 15–30 kg (33–66 lb); males twice female size |
| Top speed | Up to 45 km/h (28 mph) |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Primates |
| Family | Cercopithecidae |
| Genus | Papio |
Where it lives
Olive baboon across equatorial Africa from Mali and Ethiopia to Tanzania and northern South Africa in savanna and woodland.
What is a group of olive baboons called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Olive Baboons is called a troop.
Baby name
A baby Olive Baboon is called an infant.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Distribution and habitat
Olive Baboons live in Olive baboon across equatorial Africa from Mali and Ethiopia to Tanzania and northern South Africa in savanna and woodland. Preferred habitat includes savannas, woodlands, and rocky hills of equatorial africa. Across Africa, population density reflects prey availability, water access, and human disturbance. Protected areas and wildlife corridors remain essential for long-term persistence.
Physical traits and behaviour
Olive Baboons typically reach about 1.1 m in length and 30 kg in weight, with top speeds near 45 km/h. Africa's adaptable monkey. Daily activity, social structure, and seasonal movements reflect pressures in their native environment.
Diet and ecological role
Olive Baboons feed on omnivore — grasses, seeds, insects, small mammals, and crops. Foraging shifts with season and local abundance. As mammals, they influence food webs — controlling prey, dispersing seeds, or shaping habitat through feeding and movement.
Conservation and coexistence
Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Habitat loss, hunting, and climate change threaten many populations. Responsible ecotourism and community conservation help in parts of their range. Never approach or feed wild olive baboons.
Human interest and research
Olive Baboons feature in folklore, tourism, and scientific study worldwide. Ongoing research tracks population trends, genetics, and responses to environmental change — data that guides national protection policies.
Dig deeper into the Olive Baboon
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Dig deeper into olive baboon — baboon facts 5.
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- How Long do Baboon Live?
Dig deeper into olive baboon — how long do baboon live.
- What do Baboon Eat
Dig deeper into olive baboon — what do baboon eat.
- Where do Baboon Live?
Dig deeper into olive baboon — where do baboon live.
Explore the Olive Baboon
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Range & geography
Did you know? Olive Baboon facts
- Olive baboons live in large troops across African savannas and increasingly in urban edges.
- They can bite if cornered or habituated to food — never feed wild baboons.
- They use tools opportunistically and navigate complex social rules.
- Conservation: Least Concern.
Diet & feeding
Olive Baboon feeds primarily as a omnivore — plants, insects, small animals.
Adaptations
- Dominance rank affects mating access and grooming alliances.
- Crop raiding near farms leads to retaliation and culling.
Behaviour & ecology
- Dominance rank affects mating access and grooming alliances.
- Crop raiding near farms leads to retaliation and culling.
Communication
- Olive Baboon uses scent, posture, and vocal signals to mark territory and coordinate social behaviour.
- Communication intensity often peaks during breeding seasons and territorial disputes.
Habitat & range
African savannas and woodlands
Ecological role
Olive Baboon plays a recognised ecological role in african savannas and woodlands.
Frequently asked questions about the Olive Baboon
Where do olive baboons live?
Olive baboon across equatorial Africa from Mali and Ethiopia to Tanzania and northern South Africa in savanna and woodland.
What do olive baboons eat?
Omnivore — grasses, seeds, insects, small mammals, and crops.
How long do olive baboons live?
About 30 years in the wild on average.
Are olive baboons endangered?
IUCN status: Least Concern.
What is a group of olive baboons called?
A group of Olive Baboons is called a troop.
What is a baby olive baboon called?
A baby Olive Baboon is called an infant.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Olive Baboon:
-
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Papio anubis.
- IUCN Red List — Papio anubis.
Conservation status (Least Concern) and population trends.
- Animal Diversity Web — Papio anubis. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
Life history, morphology, and range.
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