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Old World Monkeys |
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Old World Monkeys |
Old World Monkeys live in Africa and Asia. They are found in many different climates, from tropical forests, to deserts, to ice covered lands in Japan. They are all quadrupedal, arboreal and terrestrial. Two fat pads, covered with hard skin are found on either side of the tail. The pads are called ischial callosities, and are thought to make sitting on rocks and branches more comfortable. The nostrils are narrow and point downwards. They have tails, but they do not have prehensile capabilities.
Baboons occupy a wide variety of ecological zones in Africa and Asia. They are omnivorous, with a diet consisting of fruit, grass, roots, insects, and meat. A very large upper canine is present in the males. The muzzle shaped snout is not related to smell, but to the space needed for the canine root.
Baboons spend roughly 30% of their time in trees. The rest of the time is
spent on the ground. In the evenings, they all return to trees or rock cliffs
to sleep.
Baboons live in large troops that can be as large as 200 individuals. The
average size for a troop is closer to 40-80 individuals. There are more
females in a group than males. There is a dominance heirarchy between both
the males and the females. The highest ranking male of the group is dominiant
over all other males and females. He usually will have one or two other
males, ranking second and third, who help him maintain order. Adolescent
males leave their natal group and find another one to join. The 
females stay with the group that their mother belongs
to. There is a ranking system between the females that is estab- lished
at birth. A daughter assumes the rank just below her mother. The ranking
of the females is stable, where as with the males it frequently changes.
The dominant male is challenged by other males who want to be in the highest
ranking position. These challenges often lead to fights and injuries.
Baboon behavioral studies have shown that friendships are an important
aspect of male, female, and infant relationships.
For more information, consult the reading
"What are Friends For?" Baboon friendships are based on other
things than sexual access.
Colobus
The Colobus monkey lives in tropical and montane forests in Africa. They are what are called foliovores. As a result of their leaf diet their stomachs have become enlarged. The special shape and size of their stomach allows them to eat the large quantity of leaves required for nutrition, and improves their ability to digest the leaves.
Colobus Monkeys are quandrapedal, and have been observed climbing and walking along the top of branches. Occasionally, they may hang under a branch by their arm. Their long tails are used for balance.
They live in groups of15 individuals. However, this number can vary. Males are dominant over females, but there is not a strict ranking system.
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