The monkeys are the most closely related animals to man. However, there are many different types of monkeys. Some are small insectivorous mammals similar to the ancestral animals from which other monkeys have evolved. Then there are medium-sized monkeys, which are divided into two groups: those found in the Old World (e.g. Africa and India) and those found in the New World (e.g. the Americas). A third major group is the great apes and man.

The baboons of Africa differ from the monkeys found in the New World by not having a prehensile tail, having two instead of three premolars (a short jaw), and the nostrils point downwards rather than sideways. In addition, the baboon┐s bottom is specialised for sitting down. Old World monkeys are thought to be more specialised, more like the great apes, than the New World monkeys.

Weight

Males 22-30 kilograms.

Females 11-15 kilograms.

Length

Male yellow baboons are around 75 centimetres in length while the females are about 60 centimetres.

Tail

The male┐s tail is 55 centimetres and the female┐s is 48 centimetres long.

The tail is not prehensile.

Life Span

The yellow baboon lives between 18-40 years.

Head

The call of the yellow baboon varies from grunts to shrieks, to barks like a dog. Its muzzle is elongated, similar also to the dog. The yellow baboon has special pouches in its cheeks which can hold big amounts of food. This allows the animal to transport its food to a safe place to swallow. It therefore does not have to eat straight away, as it can store up its findings and find a quiet place to eat.

Teeth

The yellow baboon has the same number and arrangement of teeth as large apes and humans. The canine teeth of the male are long and powerful.

Body

The yellow baboon has hardened pads on its bottom enabling it to sit for long periods. These pads are supported by specially flattened bones in the pelvis.

Front Limb

When apes walk on all fours, the weight is borne on the knuckles, however with the yellow baboon, the under surface of the digits takes the weight of the animal. The under surface of the hand is naked and hairless. They have five digits just like man, and have nails on these digits.

Hind Limb

Like the front limb, the weight of the body is borne on the whole under surface of the foot. The big toe is opposable like the human thumb. Both the front and hind limb are about the same length, so the backbone is roughly horizontal when the animal is walking.