Guinea Baboon

• Common Name: Guinea Baboon
• Taxonomy Classification Year: 1820
• Monkey Size: 50.8 to 114.3 mm (20.00 to 45.00 in)
• Skin Color(s): Reddish-brown
• Habitat: Savanna or grassland, forest, rainforest
• Diet: Omnivorous
• Native Countries: Guinea, Senegal, Gambia, Mauritania, Mali

The Guinea baboon^[1] (Papio papio) is a baboon of the Old World monkey family.

• Some (older) classifications only list two species of the Papio genus, this one and the Hamadryas baboon.
• The fur of Papio papio is reddish-brown in color with a considerable geographic variation.
• Those individuals from the western part of the range are lighter and conspicuously red than those from the eastern part, where the individuals are darker and more tan.
• Unlike many other baboon species, the Guinea baboon characteristically displays the same coat color on the cheeks, back, arms, and abdomen.
• Individual hairs have multiple color bands and a wavy texture. The skin on the face of this species is purplish-black.
• The moderate amount of visible hairless skin around the anal area in males is pink in color.
• Female anogenital skin changes color based on reproductive status and age.

• When walking, these baboons support their weight on the bottom of their toes in front and on the entire sole of their feet.
• The social structure of Guinea baboons is apparently complex, similar to that of Hamadryas baboons.
• Resting sites are significant limiting factors in the dispersal and movement of baboons. Consequently, Guinea baboons mainly sleep in large kapok trees or palm trees.
• Unlike Chacma baboons (P. ursinus), which often sleep in burrows, Papio papio appears to enter burrows to lick the walls. This geophagy may be a means for animals to obtain essential salts.
• Among the vocalizations of Guinea, baboons are several loud calls that can be heard over great distances and quieter calls that are typically used in more intimate settings.