The Adventures of Curious Bobby - how baboons spend their day

Ranger Rick, Jan, 2002 by Deborah Churchman

Baboons really are very curious animals. They live in large groups called troops, mostly on the African plains. Each day, the troop members explore a different part of their home.

Baboons start and end their day with a grooming session, picking pests out of each other's fur. Grooming helps troop members stay together. Even young baboons groom each other, or try to. Looks like Buffy is still learning how! (See photo below.)

After grooming, the baboons spread out and search for food. Baboons eat fruit and insects, but they'll munch just about anything else that grows on the African plains. And, they're so curious, they'll check out any new thing they find. Some older baboons can catch lizards and even small birds and mammals to eat.

As the adults look for food, the younger baboons mostly play and chase each other. Then, in the middle of the day, most troop members take a nice, long nap.

One morning, Bobby saw his year-old cousin, Buffy. Curious, he sat in front of her. What would she do? Buffy started picking pests out of Bobby's fur. Careful, Buffy--don't pull his hair!

This is Bobby. He lives in Africa. He is a good olive baboon and always very curious. Turn the page for . . .

ONE MORNING, Bobby saw his year-old cousin, Buffy. Curious, he sat in front of her. What would she do? Buffy started picking pests out of Bobby's fur. Careful, Buffy--don't pull his hair!

FOR FUN, Bobby chased Buffy. Buffy ran up a small tree. Bobby followed her to the top. Uh-oh, don't fall, Bobby!

LATER, BOBBY saw something green under another tree. What was it? Bobby carried it to his favorite log and looked it over. What luck--a delicious fruit. Yum!

This is Bobby. He lives in Africa. He is a good olive baboon and always very curious. Turn the page for . . .

One morning, Bobby saw his year-old cousin, Buffy. Curious, he sat in front of her. What would she do? Buffy started picking pests out of Bobby's fur. Careful, Buffy--don't pull his hair!

Later, Bobby saw something green under another tree. What was it? Bobby carried it to his favorite log and looked it over. What luck--a delicious fruit. Yum!

FOR FUN, Bobby chased Buffy. Buffy ran up a small tree. Bobby followed her to the top. Uh-oh, don't fall, Bobby!

BOBBY felt nervous playing so far from Mom. He scampered back and scooted underneath her. She kept looking for food while the little baboon chewed on this nice, soft part of her. Poor Mom!

Lions, hyenas, and other tough hunters roam the plains where baboons live. But even these hunters rarely attack the fierce baboons. As long as a young baboon keeps within the troop, it can stay safe. That's why Bobby keeps going back to his mom.

Finally, before the sun sets, the troop will move off to spend the night in trees or on cliffs. Young baboons like Bobby can't move quickly enough to keep up with the troop. So they'll climb on their mothers for a free "baboon-back" ride.

Young baboons spend the night cuddling with their moms. The next day, there will be plenty of time to be curious, like Bobby!

NOW, AS EVENING FALLS, it's time for the troop to move on. Mom lets Bobby climb onto her back for a ride. Hang on, Bobby--and behave yourself!