Baby olive (Anubis) baboon on mother's back with Alpha male father in background among grasses Akagera National Game Park Rwanda
Baby olive (Anubis) baboon on mother's back with Alpha male father in background among grasses Akagera National Game Park Rwanda Newborns have black natal coats and bright pink skin. Females are the primary caregivers of infants, but males also play a role. For the first few days of life, the infant may be unable to stay attached to its mother and relies on her for physical support. However, its grasp grows stronger by its first week and it is able to cling to its mother's fur by itself. By two weeks, the infant begins to explore its surroundings for short periods, but stays near her. The distance the infant spends away from its mother increases the older it gets. In general, higher-ranking females are usually more relaxed parents than lower-ranking females, which usually keep their offspring close to them. However, this difference only lasts for about the first eight weeks of an infant's life. Olive baboons do not seems to practice cooperative parenting, but a female may groom an infant that is not hers. Subadult and juvenile females are more likely to care for another's young, as they have not produced offspring of their own yet. One theory for why immature females tend to seek out infants is so they can prepare for their future roles as mothers. Infant baboons born to first-time mothers suffer higher mortality than those born to experienced mothers, which suggests prior experience in caring for infants may be very important. Adult males in the groups will also care for the infants, as they are they are likely to be related to them. Males groom infants, reducing the amount of parasites they many have, and calm them when they are stressed. They even protect them from predators, such as chimpanzees. However, adult males exploit infants and use them to reduce their chances of being threatened by other males.
Size: 4172px × 2724px
Location: Southern Akagera National Game Park Rwanda Central Africa
Photo credit: © Roland Pargeter / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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