THE YELLOW BABOON 



THE YELLOW BABOON 



{Pafio cynocephalus) 



The Yellow Baboon is an inhabitant of the West 

 Coast regions of Africa, and is found as far south 

 as Mashonaland. 



Its habits are, in practically every way, similar 

 to those of the Cape or Chacma Baboon. It has 

 the reputation of being bolder and less afraid of 

 man than the Chacma. This is not in any way 

 due to its possessing a more resolute or fearless 

 nature, but simply because it has learned that the 

 natives with whom it comes in contact are not 

 foes to be feared overmuch. In South Africa, 

 in the wilder districts where the Chacma Baboons 

 have not come into conflict with the European with 

 his firearm, they too are often inclined to be aggres- 

 sive, and instances have been related to me of Kafir 

 herd-boys having been threatened and compelled to 

 retreat and summon help. 



The Yellow Baboon is so called because of the 

 yellowish hue of its fur. It is somewhat slighter in 

 build than the Chacma. 



The two species can be recognised by the following 

 differences : 



Chacma Baboon — Skin of the face dull ashy 

 black ; hair on the upper parts brown, and ringed 

 indistinctly. 



Yellow Baboon — Skin of the face flesh-coloured. 

 The hair of the upper parts ringed yellow and black. 



69 



