Chacma Baboon - Anatomy and Physiology

Anatomy and Physiology

The Chacma baboon is perhaps the longest species of monkey, with a male body length of 50–115 cm (20–45 in) and tail length of 33–85 cm (13–33 in). It also one of the heaviest; the male weighs from 21 to 45 kg (46 to 99 lb). Baboons are sexually dimorphic, and females are considerably smaller than males. The female Chacma weighs from 12 to 25 kg (26 to 55 lb). It is similar in size to the olive baboon and of similar weight to the more compact mandrill, which is usually crowned the largest of all monkeys. The Chacma baboon is generally dark brown to gray in color, with a patch of rough hair on the nape of its neck. Unlike the males of northern baboon species (the Guinea, hamadryas, and olive baboons), Chacma males do not have a mane. Perhaps the most distinctive feature of this baboon is its long, downward-sloping face. Males can have canine teeth as long as 2 inches (longer than a lion's).