Baboon Society

I think this character's story needs to be shared, to give a glimpse into the life of a teenager in Baboon society.

In the extreme heat of the South African lowveld the family rested in trees near the Sabi River. This teenager found the ideal stop in a Maroela tree, totally relaxed with all four limbs dangling down. Some of the adults rested in the same tree. Toddlers were playing on the lower branches of the Maroela tree, and resting was not part of their agenda.

I was totally fixated on the teenager, when suddenly one of his teenage cousins pounced on his resting perch. The little fellow almost fell off the branch, but was able to grab hold ensuring he did not meet with the ground below.

I was totally fixated on the teenager, when suddenly one of his teenage cousins pounced on his resting perch. The little fellow almost fell off the branch, but was able to grab hold ensuring he did not meet with the ground below.

Startled for a few moments, and with the cousin departing, he went back to his afternoon nap.

In the meantime, the toddlers had become more active in the lower branches, but blocking their way to the top was one of the big males in the troop. Clearly they were cautious of the adult. One tried all possible ways to pass the adult ,but to no avail. He would just stare at the youngster. And an adult tail could always double as a rope.

Eventually it was time to move on. These amazing characters supply endless opportunities if one is willing to pause for a moment to observe their behaviour.