The chacma baboon is one of the largest monkeys and their distribution is mostly across southern Africa. Chacma baboons are adaptable and inhabit a wide range of habitats from woodland to arid sub-desert, they also persist in urban areas.
Social animals
These are incredibly social animals who live in troops with an alpha male, several subordinate adult males, adult females and young.
Chacma baboons shout in a deep, loud voice to alert others to the presence of a predator. This alarm call is very reliable when searching for predators.
Cheetahs
Cheetahs are the fastest land mammals in the world. Reaching speeds of 128 km/h.
Coalitions are usually made up of brothers but can include unrelated males. They usually number between two and five individuals. Coalitions stay together for life.
Their over-specialisation for speed has left them with few defence against other animals and their kills are frequently stolen by lions and hyenas. Cheetahs hunt during the day unlike most other felids.
Are baboons braver than cheetahs?
The two cheetahs look relaxed at the Tau waterhole, enjoying a drink and lying down without much concern. In a few moments the big male baboons appear and very quickly the cheetahs are alert. The baboons are incredibly tenacious.
The cheetahs are immediately defensive and begin to retreat from the advancing baboons. It’s unclear whether the baboons were being protective over their troop or if they just felt like causing some trouble.
The baboons continue to follow the cheetahs ensuring they move off completely. The cheetahs don’t give up much a fight, and it looks to be a monkey victory.
