Baboon : Reproduction
Females become sexually mature at the age of 3-5 years, males at 3 year. Females breed up to 20 years. Oestrous cycle is usually about 1 month. Births can occur in any month. The interval between births is varying from 1 - 2 years.
The gestation is varying from 154 -193 days.
Most of the births take place at night. The afterbirth is usually eaten. The eyes of the infant are open at birth. They are born with a very dark nearly black coat and their coat changes to adult coloration 5 to 7 months later. The infants will cling on their mothers shortly after birth.
Female baboons reach their adult weight at 5 - 8 years
They give birth to only 1 monkey. Rarely twins are born.
The first few weeks the infants rather use their mouth than their hands to pick up objects. They sleep 1/3 of the day with moms nipple in their mouth.
During the first month the infant becomes pretty active and starts walking around from time to time.
After 5 weeks he starts to use his hands to manipulate things.
After 4 months the infant will start to test out solid food and learn to climb around in trees.
At the age of 6 months the infants will be able to survive on solid foods.
After a year the infant is independent (althought they might still take moms nipple in their mouth in times of stress).Baboons can live 30 years in captivity.
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