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Lost in Thought


Lost in Thought
Photo Information
Copyright: Manyee Desandies (manyee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3067 W: 231 N: 6160] (21052)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-08-01
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon Powershot S3 IS
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-11-08 11:15
Viewed: 1266
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hamadryas Baboon
Papio hamadryas

DESCRIPTION:
Length (without tail) 24 to 30 inches. Males weigh up to 40 lbs and are twice the weight of females. Males have massive features and a well-developed silver shaggy cape or mane. They have enormous canines, usually used in threat displays. Females and young are brown without mane. Infants are black. Tail arched gently backwards. Face is reddish-pink with a very long muzzle in the same line as the brain case. Ischial callosities are highly developed and bright red. Females exhibit pronounced monthly genital swelling.

GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE AND HABITAT:
Inhabits semi-arid plains and rocky hill country in Ethiopia and Somalia in Africa, and Saudi Arabia and Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula. They are found from sea level to 2600 meters. They spend the night on rocky cliffs, sometimes foraging miles during the day but returning to the cliffs to sleep.

DIET:
Food consists of practically anything edible, but is chiefly vegetarian supplemented with protein-rich insects, hares and other small animals.In their dry, sandy environment they learn where to find small pools and where to dig for water. In parts of Arabia, they are becoming increasingly dependent on raiding crops and garbage dumps.

LIFE CYCLE/SOCIAL STRUCTURE:
Hamadryas baboons are socially and structurally distinct from other species of baboon. Males are related to each other and females move between groups. They sleep on rocky cliffs in aggregations that may number as many as 750. They travel and forage in bands of 50 to 100 individuals. In turn these bands are composed of the basic group of a single adult male with one to four females together with their offspring. The adult male keeps his harem together by strong disciplinary measures which include biting his females on the nape of the neck. Males kidnap young females who then bond to them. A female threatened by her male will run towards not away from him. When a pair forms, rival males respect a possessor's right to his female. This species breeds throughout the year, but the peak seasons are May-June and November-December. The gestation period is 170-173 days; one young is usual, rarely two. Females reach sexual maturity in five years, males in seven. Hamadryas baboons are preyed upon by leopards, jackals, hyenas, cheetahs and lions, and infants are sometimes taken by eagles. Life span 30 to 40 years.

SPECIAL ADAPTATIONS:
Hamadryas flexible social structure is adapted to two special local conditions:the lack of safe sleeping places and the difficulty of finding food in the tree-less semi-desert in which they live.

INTERPRETIVE INFORMATION::
The Hamadryas was the sacred baboon of the ancient Egyptians, often pictured on temples and monoliths as the attendant or representative of Thoth, the god of letters and scribe of the gods. Baboons were mummified, entombed and associated with sun-worship. This is the only non-human primate found in Arabia. Also known as the sacred or“mantled” or Arabian baboon. These animals are very social and are stressed by isolation. A direct stare is a threat. To threaten in return, they will raise their eyebrows, showing their white eyelid and partially open their mouth, displaying formidable canines. Intensifying the threat, they may yawn,raise their hair, slap hands and feet on the ground, grind their teeth and scream. Fear is shown by a “grin” with no eyelid threat. They have a number of calls; alarm is given by a dog-like bark.

This photo was taken at the Safari Park in GuangZhou.

Source

Evelynn, Janice, Alex99, Adanac has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Manyee,
Nicely done Hamadryas baboon portrait.
He definitely got something on his mind.
TFS
Annick

These baboons always look so well groomed...like they have just been brushed. You caught an interesting pensive pose/expression. All the details and natural colors are really nice.

TFS
Evelynn : )

  • Great 
  • Adam73 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 209 W: 5 N: 522] (2251)
  • [2008-11-08 16:42]

Great portrait of this handsome fellow. Sharpness and details are awesome. exposure is perfect.

Hello Manyee

A well coiffeured looking beast,perhaps fresh from the hair stylist.
Excellent focus and sharpness.
The colours look natural.
Very good POV and DOF.
TFS

Wolf

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2008-11-08 22:26]

Hi ManYee
He looks quite a nice looking baboon - I do like his hair... But I think it would drive me mad!!
The eyes look very thoughtful - I'd like to know what he is thinking.
Well captured
Janice

PS You won that game - I'm beginning to understand how to play it ... Maybe next time I'll win!!

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3585 W: 143 N: 5669] (18533)
  • [2008-11-13 7:35]

Hi Manyee.
You have shared an amazing picture of a wonderful monkey. I like terrific reproduction of all details of the animal, its hair, face and impressive look. Lights and colours are fine too. Well done and best regards.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 1 N: 5208] (17609)
  • [2008-11-14 17:58]

Hello Manyee,
First I would like to say what a handsome young man you have on your knee in your intro picture. Your image is a wonderful portrait of this baboon, showing awesome details and those eyes. Thank you Manyee.
Rick

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