Random Fascinating Things You Might Not Know About Gelada Baboons (12 items)

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  (#11) They Live In The Mountains Of Ethiopia

  Geladas are indigenous to the mountainous peaks of northern Ethiopia. They have adapted to a high altitude lifestyle and are known to be tremendous climbers, living in a range of 6,000 to about 16,000 feet above sea level. The once numerous species of the genus Theropithecus used to live in a range that stretched from Africa to India, but what's left of the grass-eating primates can now only be found on the cliff faces of east Africa.
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  (#8) They Sleep On The Edges Of Cliffs

  These primates can be found at elevations peaking at about 16,000 feet above sea level, living in the mountainous meadows of northern Ethiopia. If life at high elevations wasn't dare-devilish enough for these fearless primates, geladas choose to fall asleep on the dangerous cliff-side ledges of the mountains. After a days worth of intense grazing and social activity, geladas will climb down the sharp cliff faces and huddle together in groups for a full nights sleep on the rocky precipices.
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  (#4) Gelada Baboons Graze In Massive Herds So Big They're The Second Largest Primate Gatherers (Next To Humans, Of Course)

  While many primates are known to live in extended social groups, geladas take it a step further than most. While gelada families can be quite large in their own right, when families come together they can create massive mega-herds that fill the mountain meadows. Up to 1,200 geladas can gather together in a single location, which is one of the largest gathering of primates outside of human settlements. Because they are primarily grazers and grass is a plentiful resource in their environment, geladas can exist together in extremely large groups without creating any significant levels of competition between them.
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  (#10) They Are The Last Of The Grazing Primates

  Geladas are the last living representatives of the genus Theropithecus, a once-prosperous group of primates that roamed the plains of Africa and Asia. They are distinct from other primates for their graminivorous diet, the only ones known to feed almost exclusively on grass. 

  While geladas were once common in the highlands of Ethiopia, their numbers have reduced dramatically due to urban and agricultural development in their habitat. They are not listed as endangered, their population has declined by roughly 50% in the last several decades. If they continue to lose their territory to humans, the Theropithecus branch of the primate tree may disappear for good.
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  (#5) Their Butts Have Evolved Cushions For Extra Comfort

  Sometimes evolution gives the world a treat it didn’t even know it needed. Because geladas spend most of their days picking through grass while sitting on their rumps, these primates have developed an extra layer of leathery padding on their rear-ends to help make feeding time a bit more comfortable. Their padded buttocks are known as ischial callosities. What’s more, some geladas will choose to scoot around in the seated position instead of walking while they are grazing, which basically means they shuffle around on their tough butts all day.
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  (#12) They Aren't Actually Baboons

  Geladas are often referred to as baboons, and that comparison is not without merit. There are many physical similarities between geladas and baboons, but a few key differences separate them tremendously. All true baboons are classified under the genus Papio, an omnivorous group of primates which scientists once believed held geladas in their ranks. Further study has revealed they are actually the only living members of the genus Theropithecus, a near-extinct group of primates who feed themselves almost completely by grazing in vast meadows.

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