: PBS LearningMedia
We're back in Africa yet again! This time, we're learning about baboons. Creature adventurers Chris and Martin Kratt wanted to do a field study on these creatures - their lives and behaviors. They decided to record their observations separately in their own notebooks. What we find is a complex group society where the babies are the most important members. They are the future of the troop and start out with black fur for the first three months. That time is when the rest of the group wants to be with them, even big males who want them in order to avoid getting into fights. Mother baboons can be very protective of their babies and will only allow trusted baboons near them. Back to the brothers...Chris aims for an objective look at baboons and is curious about one young baby whom he names Mgobo. He also gets worried about Martin who starts to act a little "babooney" in order to try and fit in with the troop. Martin first tries "come here and let's be friends" looks such as lip-smacking and moving his head from side to side in weird ways. This however causes the baboons to run away, thinking him to be a predator or unwanted guest. Then Martin relaxes and the baboons come back. Later, Chris observes Martin eating with the baboons and remarks to himself that Martin might be fitting in too well and that he should keep his eye on his older brother. During Martin's baboon craze, he observes Chris climbing up an acacia tree and thinks that he should have done the same thing. We see the way baboons have rank within the group, how they interact with other animals, including lions who successfully hunt one of the members, and we see their friendship-making ways and how they interact with their children. This proves to be a very good look at a sometimes under-the-radar species. Finally, we get the evolution teaching as always: 25 million years ago our ancestors lived in trees. Then when there were new food sources on the ground, our ancestors adapted to that. Be back later!
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