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- THE MAMMALS OF ETHIOPIAN AFRICA 



Dog-faeed baboons generally inhabit rocky districts bordering on plains or 

 cultivated ground ; their short legs rendering them better fitted for a life on the 

 ground than for climbing. In all cases they associate in large troops, and as they 

 are both fierce and strong, they are exceedingly dangerous animals to encounter. 

 They themselves are much exposed to the attacks of leopards and other Carnivora, 

 which may be the reason for their associating in large troops. The males, which 

 much exceed the females in size, are armed with powerful canine teeth, not greatly 

 inferior in penetrating power to those of the leopards, and more than once several 



THOTH BABOON. 



old male baboons have driven away a leopard. The large size of their heads, as 

 well as the shape of their bodies generally, make it difficult for baboons to stand 

 erect, although they always do so when driven to bay, as they are thus able to 

 defend themselves better. Generally, however, they move on all fours, and on 

 fairly smooth ground with such speed that only a horse can overtake them. 



Although the chief part of their food consists of seeds, fruits, roots, and the 

 gum secreted by the stems of many African acacias, baboons also eat insects, 

 lizards, and birds' eggs. When they visit the plantations of the natives, which suffer 

 much from such nocturnal raids, they are reported to post sentinels to give notice 

 of approaching danger. 



