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

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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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  (#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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  (#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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  (#7) They Have Highly Developed Communication Skills

  Primates are renowned for their cleverness, and the gelada is no exception. 
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  (#9) They Have A Complicated Social Hierarchy

  As primates, it’s no surprise that geladas have complicated social structures with multiple class distinctions. Like many other species, families are dominated by an alpha male who has special privileges in the tribe. However, they often do not claim exclusive mating rights with the females of the group. 

  Research has shown many alphas will allow younger males into his group, bachelors who will attempt to mate with members of the alpha's harem. While this may seem like a bad deal for the alpha, it actually benefits the group. Even though the alpha has some competition from the younger males, on average he will still father about 83% of the children. The added defense benefit of having a few extra males around makes this a good deal for everyone involved.
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  (#1) Geladas Are Vegetarians That Eat For 10 Hours Everyday

  Geladas are known for their excessively vegetarian lifestyle. They are graminivores, meaning their diet consists of 90% grass. They are the only living primates who live off almost entirely on grass, a trait more common in ungulates like deer and cattle than monkeys. Grass isn’t the richest source of food in nature, so geladas must eat constantly to get the nutrients they need to survive. To supplement their diet, geladas will eat flowers and dig into the ground to get at the nutrient rich roots below the surface. According to the BBC special Monkey Planet, geladas can spend up to 10 hours every day gorging themselves on grass, meaning they are eating for most of their waking life.

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