Baboon Fellow Grooming

Grooming is indeed a valuable commodity in itself, likely due to its stress- and tension-reducing effects. Primates also groom socially in moments of boredom, and this act has been shown to reduce tension and stress.

One hamadryas baboon is grooming another at the North Carolina Zoo.

Fellow Grooming

Hamadryas Baboon Staring

The hamadryas also differs from other baboons in its social behaviour. Instead of maintaining a large cohesive troop, hamadryas split during the day into groups consisting of a single male and his “harem” of up to six (or more) females. Unlike most species that live in one-male social units, hamadryas males use aggression both during and after takeovers to condition females to maintain proximity.

This one at the North Carolina Zoo looks pretty aggressive.

Hamadryas Baboon Staring