In 1986, a troop of chacma baboons was found living in the heart of the Namib desert - the most arid environment known to be inhabited by a non-human primate (the annual rainfall is only 27mm). In 1992, the troop went without water for 116 days, eating figs for moisture.

Subspecies
None.

Life span
Chacma baboons can live for over 45 years.

Statistics
Body length: 58-76cm, Tail length: 58-64cm, Weight: 16-20kg. These are the largest of the baboons.

Physical description
Chacma baboons have dark yellowish-grey to dark brown and almost black fur. Their faces are black with white hair below the eyes and on the muzzle.

Distribution
Chacma baboons inhabit Southern Africa.

Habitat
They prefer woodland, grassland, acacia scrub and semi-desert habitats, including small hills, seaside cliffs and mountains up to 2980m. They live near to a freshwater source.

Diet
This species feeds on grass, roots, tubers, fruits, nuts, invertebrates, small birds and mammals, and crustaceans when near the coast.

Behaviour
Chacma baboons have variable social structures. They live in multi-male and multi-female groups or multi-female groups with one male. Males sometimes kill and eat infants that are unrelated to themselves. They are diurnal and spend most of their time on the ground.

Reproduction
After a gestation period of 187 days, females give birth to one infant.

Conservation status
Chacma baboons are at lower risk of extinction.