Hamadryas Baboons are active and intelligent primates that have captivated the hearts and imaginations of Melbourne Zoo visitors since 1948.

Each baboon has a unique role to play within the extended family group and their place in the hierarchy is reinforced through constant and often quite subtle social interactions.

Aggressive displays such as the bearing of teeth, yawning, or prolonged staring can intimidate other members of the group. Submissive displays such as a female presenting her rump to others affirms her lower status in the hierarchy.

They are probably best known for their prominent pink bums which are an important visual communication cue. Female bums become swollen when they are in oestrus to draw the attention of the dominant male and let him know it's a great time to mate.

Grooming is also important behaviour for baboons. It enables dirt and parasites to be removed and helps to strengthen the social bonds within the group.

Coming soon, Melbourne Zoo will unveil a brand new naturalistic home for our baboons!
Baboon Lookout is a large open African grassland habitat with 2 large rocky outcrops adjacent to the existing Giraffe, Zebra and Ostrich exhibit. It includes exciting new vantage points for visitors to immerse themselves in the fascinating and complex world of our Baboon troop.

DID YOU KNOW?

• When foraging and sleeping baboons come together in troops of up to 400 individuals
• Baboons live in a multi-level society; A ‘band' is made up of several ‘clans' which in turn is made of a number of 2 or more ‘harems'.
• Within each ‘clan' there will be one or two dominant males, each of which possess and guard some of the females of the clan his own ‘harem'.
• Females reach sexual maturity by 4 years of age.
• The fertile period, during which ovulation occurs (release of the egg), is marked by a huge swelling of the rump. This signals the male to mate with the female.
• Eye contact and showing teeth are signs of aggression to baboons so sometimes they may react to smiling visitors