What does a dog monkey look like?

Watching monkeys is always interesting - they are so spontaneous, sweet and intelligent, that no one can remain indifferent! What a dog-monkey is, in what its features and unusual habits - the following material will tell about it.

General signs and appearance

The generalized name includes several subspecies of monkeys, which have a number of similar external and behavioral characteristics. Knowing such characteristics of animals of this genus, they can not be confused with anyone else.

The dog monkey, or baboon, refers to the prickly primate. They are very intelligent, live in large groups, rigidly observing the foundations and traditions of the pack. Baboons are distinguished by the following external characteristics:

• A fairly large size - an average of 70-100 centimeters in height and 25-45 kg in weight. Males are usually larger than females.
• The head seems large in relation to the trunk. The muzzle is elongated and narrow, and on it there are so-called cheek pouches. This is the structure of the head baboons owed their second name - the dog monkey (photos of animals are presented in the article).
• The long and thin tail, reaching an average of 50-70 centimeters.
• The coat is thick, not too long. Her head is much larger than on the trunk and extremities.
• Under the tail of the baboons there is a "sciatic callus" - two hairless hemispheres of pink color. In females ready for mating, this part of the body becomes bright red.

Baboons move mainly on the four limbs, can climb up the trees, run and jump fast.

Where can I meet a baboon?

There are not many places where the dog-monkey lives in nature. The description of their way of life confirms that these primates need a large area for comfortable living of the entire large flock.

The most comfortable natural environment for baboons is the steppe region and savannah of Africa. Most of the flocks of these animals are found in the southern part of the continent and on the Arabian Peninsula.

Sobakogolovye monkeys are usually not afraid of people and can settle not far from civilization, doing small wrecking: they can steal food and even small domestic animals.

During visits of tourists to safari parks where baboons live in free conditions, primates do not run away from people, but, on the contrary, expect from them handouts and goodies.

Herbivorous hunter: what do monkeys eat?

The diet of an animal such as a dog monkey is very extensive. These animals can eat both vegetable food and animal products.

The menu of baboons most often consists of fruits of fruit trees, berries, root crops, small beetles and reptiles. But, despite the rich vegetation diet, the baboon is able to hunt and not always on the smallest prey.

Thanks to its physiological characteristics, the dog monkey is capable of developing a serious speed, which allows it to easily catch up with the victim. And thirty-two sharpest teeth, of which distinctly powerful canines clearly stand out, do not leave chances not only to medium-sized animals, like dogs, but to large African inhabitants. The male baboon is able to catch and break the gazelle, which indicates the exceptional speed and strength of these animals.

The laws of the pack: the social system of baboons

These primates live in large flocks, clearly adhering to the intra-hierarchy hierarchy. At the head of the pack is the strongest male. His "instructions" unquestioningly obey everything.

In the daytime baboons are on the ground, having chosen a vast territory and doing their own business. At the same time, the placement of primates is always the same: strong males are located at the edges, females and calves are closer to the center. Thanks to this "construction" the flock will always be able to protect its strongest representatives, and it does not matter which side the foe has crept up.

The dog monkey has sharp eyesight and sees danger from afar. In this case, the leader issues a characteristic sound signal. This signal can be used by other animals - it is difficult to not hear a kind of warning.

In case of alarm, baboons climb up trees and wait danger.

Cases amorous: love and reproduction of baboons

The adult female baboon is ready for mating every month. The male and the female form a pair for the duration of the mating season. It is worth noting that at this time, "Chevalier" courted only one "lady."

Pregnancy in the female dog monkeys lasts an average of six months and ends with the birth of one calf, in very rare cases - twins.

To the newborn monkeys are very carefully and carefully: at first the babies are at the breast of the mother, clinging tenaciously to her hair; A little later - on her back. Adult baboons leave their mother more often and play with other cubs, but parental control does not weaken - dog monkeys do not leave children unattended and do not allow them to play too violently.

Be careful, danger!

Baboons are not afraid of virtually no animals. Even if they meet elephants or rhinoceroses, monkeys reluctantly give way to them - they perfectly smell that big animals are not threatening them.

The only exception is leopards and lions. These predators, thanks to incredible speed and strength, can successfully hunt for baboons. But the poaching of these rare animals leads to the fact that their population is sharply reduced, and the natural regulation of reproduction of canine monkeys - is coming to naught. In the places where leopards and lions are caught, there is a significant increase in the number of primates.

African residents have a negative attitude towards these animals. Monkeys are very smart, while strong and sassy. They calmly approach the settlements of people in order to profit with food or domestic animals. The presence of a man does not scare them, the exception is a strong man with a gun. Woman and child baboons not only not scared, but also can attack. Unfortunately, in African villages, it is not uncommon for dog monkeys to tear or snack children and women to death.

Observing monkeys is extremely interesting: their habits combine both features of the animal world and human character. But no matter how sweet and clever baboons are, we should not forget that they are primarily animals that can show aggression and strength at the most unexpected moment.