The baboon, is a truculent, cunning and intelligent animal that will eat almost anything, including small mammals and birds. Baboons have even been known to hunt baby antelope.The major part of their diet, however, consists of plants, fruits and insects. They have a distinctive harsh bark, “Wa-hoo!”, and their greatest enemy is the leopard.
Chacma Baboon (Papio ursinus)
Characteristics
Social primate living in groups of between 30 and 40 individuals; dominant leader and strict social hierarchy; daytime feeders sleeping in trees, on rock ledges or in caves.
Food
Wide diet including insects, fruit, roots, tubers and birds' eggs; occasionally known to hunt young antelope when food is scarce.
Where best to see them in Kruger
Throughout Kruger except in very open grassland - there are an estimated 300 troops of baboons living in Kruger.
Vervet Monkey (Circopithecus pygurythrus)
Characteristics
Social animals that live mostly in trees in groups of between 15 and 30; often warn other animals of impending danger.
Food
Omnivores feeding on fruit, seeds and leaves, insects, nestling birds, eggs.
Where best to see them in Kruger
Woodlands close to water, throughout Kruger.
Illustration: Chip Snaddon
