The olive baboon, Papio anubis, is one of the most widespread baboons in Africa. It lives across a broad belt of the continent, from West Africa to East Africa, and can adapt to savannas, open woodlands, forests, steppes, and even semi-desert edges.
Its name comes from the olive-gray look of its coat when seen from a distance. Like other baboons, it has a strong body, a long dog-like muzzle, powerful jaws, and a tail that arches upward near the base.
Olive baboons live in troops that may include several adult males, many related females, and young of different ages. Females usually remain in the troop where they were born, while males often move between groups as they mature.
They are extremely flexible omnivores. Their diet can include grasses, roots, fruits, seeds, bark, flowers, insects, eggs, birds, small mammals, and other available foods. This flexibility helps them survive in many different environments.
Communication is a big part of baboon life. Olive baboons use grunts, barks, facial expressions, grooming, posture, and social bonds to manage troop life, warn of danger, and keep relationships steady in a busy group.