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.
Key takeaway
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 overview
Olive Baboon (Papio anubis) is an mammal listed here as Least Concern. Typical weight 15–30 kg (33–66 lb); males twice female size; lifespan around 25–30 years in the wild (longer in captivity).
Olive Baboon ecology
Diet: Omnivore — grasses, seeds, insects, small mammals, and crops. Habitat: Savannas, woodlands, and rocky hills of equatorial Africa. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures across the native range.
Olive Baboons and people
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild olive baboons are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Status and further reading
Conservation label in our guides: Least Concern. See the full Olive Baboon profile for taxonomy, FAQs, and related topic guides on this site.
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.
Sources
Olive Baboon FAQs
What are key facts about olive baboons?
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.
What is the scientific name of the olive baboon?
Papio anubis — used in research and conservation listings for olive baboons.
What do olive baboons eat?
Olive Baboons eat grasses, seeds, insects, small mammals, and crops, with seasonal and regional variation in Savannas, woodlands, and rocky hills of equatorial Africa.
Where do olive baboons live?
They are associated with Savannas, woodlands, and rocky hills of equatorial Africa. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of olive baboons?
Listed in our guides as Least Concern. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.