Baboon vs. Monkey: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 26, 2023
Baboons are large, ground-dwelling monkeys with dog-like muzzles, while monkeys are a diverse group of primates with varied sizes and habitats.
Key Differences
Baboons are a specific type of old-world monkey known for their large size, heavy build, and distinctive long, dog-like muzzles. They are native to Africa and Arabia. Monkeys, in general, refer to a broader category of primates, including both old-world monkeys, like baboons, and new-world monkeys, found in the Americas, which display a wide range of physical characteristics.
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One of the most notable features of baboons is their large size, with some males weighing up to 90 pounds. They have strong, muscular bodies adapted for a terrestrial lifestyle. In contrast, monkeys vary greatly in size and build, ranging from the tiny pygmy marmoset, which weighs about 100 grams, to much larger species like the mandrill.
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Baboons have a unique social structure and are known for forming large, complex troops. Their social interactions are intricate and hierarchical. Conversely, monkeys display a variety of social structures, from solitary to highly social, and their social organization can vary widely between species.
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In terms of habitat, baboons are primarily ground-dwelling and are adapted to living in savannas, open woodlands, and hills across Africa and Arabia. On the other hand, monkeys inhabit a diverse range of environments, from tropical rainforests to mountainous regions, and many are arboreal, spending most of their time in trees.
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Baboons are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of foods, including plants, insects, and small animals. They are known for their foraging skills and adaptability. Meanwhile, monkeys have diverse diets that vary greatly depending on the species, with some being strictly herbivorous, while others are omnivorous or even insectivorous.
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Comparison Chart
Habitat
Primarily ground-dwelling in savannas and woodlands.
Varied, including arboreal and terrestrial habitats.
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Size
Generally large, some males up to 90 pounds.
Varies widely from very small to large.
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Physical Features
Long, dog-like muzzles, strong build.
Diverse, ranging from flat to protruding faces.
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Social Structure
Form large, complex troops.
Social structures vary from solitary to highly social.
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Diet
Omnivorous, adaptable foragers.
Ranges from herbivorous to omnivorous, species-dependent.
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Baboon and Monkey Definitions
Baboon
Social animals living in large, hierarchical troops.
Baboon societies are complex and involve intricate social behaviors.
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Monkey
A diverse group of primates not classified as apes, with varied habitats.
Monkeys in the rainforest often have prehensile tails for climbing.
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Baboon
Known for their distinctive dog-like muzzles and strong bodies.
Baboons use their powerful jaws to crack nuts and seeds.
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Monkey
Diets range from herbivorous to omnivorous, depending on the species.
Some monkey species specialize in eating insects and small reptiles.
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Baboon
A large, terrestrial old-world monkey native to Africa and Arabia.
The baboon troop was seen foraging near the savanna.
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Monkey
Any of various tailed primates of the suborder Anthropoidea, including the macaques, baboons, capuchins, and marmosets, and excluding the apes.
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Baboon
Omnivorous primates with a diet including plants and animals.
Baboons can often be seen hunting small mammals.
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Baboon
Adapted for a ground-dwelling lifestyle in diverse habitats.
Baboons in the savanna are adept at finding water sources.
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Monkey
One who behaves in a way suggestive of a monkey, as a mischievous child or a mimic.
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Dec 10, 2023
Baboon
Any of several large terrestrial African and Arabian monkeys of the genus Papio, having an elongated doglike muzzle and bare calluses on the buttocks.
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Monkey
(Slang) A person who is mocked, duped, or made to appear a fool
They made a monkey out of him.
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Baboon
An Old World monkey of the genus Papio, having dog-like muzzles and large canine teeth, cheek pouches, a short tail, and naked callosities on the buttocks. 13
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Monkey
Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a person with dark skin.
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Monkey
To play, fiddle, trifle, or tamper with something
Who was monkeying with my phone?.
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Baboon
One of the Old World Quadrumana, of the genera Cynocephalus and Papio; the dog-faced ape. Baboons have dog-like muzzles and large canine teeth, cheek pouches, a short tail, and naked callosities on the buttocks. They are mostly African. See Mandrill, and Chacma, and Drill an ape.
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Monkey
(properly) A member of the clade Simiiformes other than those in the clade Hominoidea containing humans and apes, generally (but not universally) distinguished by small size, tails, and cheek pouches.
He had been visiting an area zoo when a monkey swung from its tree perch, swiped his glasses and hurled them into a hippo hole.
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Monkey
Any simian primate other than hominids, any monkey or ape.
Chimpanzees are known to form bands to hunt and kill other monkeys.
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Monkey
A naughty or mischievous person, especially a child.
Stop misbehaving, you cheeky little monkey!
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Monkey
(pejorative) uggo: an unattractive person, especially one whose face supposedly resembles a monkey's.
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Monkey
Synonym of puppet: a person dancing to another's tune, a person controlled or directed by another.
No, no, no, not you. I want to talk to the organ grinder, not the monkey.
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Monkey
A menial employee who does a repetitive job supposedly requiring minimal intelligence.
Code monkey... grease monkey... phone monkey... powder monkey...
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Monkey
A fluid consisting of hydrochloric acid and zinc, used in the process of soldering.
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Monkey
(slang) five hundred, especially (British) 500 pounds sterling or 500 dollars.
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Monkey
(slang) A drug habit; an addiction; a compulsion.
Everybody's got something to hide except for me and my monkey.
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Monkey
(dance) A dance popularized by Major Lance in 1963, now usually only its upper-body dance move involving exaggerated drumming motions.
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Monkey
To meddle; to mess (with).
Please don't monkey with the controls if you don't know what you're doing.
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Monkey
In the most general sense, any one of the Quadrumana, including apes, baboons, and lemurs.
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Monkey
A term of disapproval, ridicule, or contempt, as for a mischievous child.
This is the monkey's own giving out; she is persuaded I will marry her.
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Monkey
The weight or hammer of a pile driver, that is, a very heavy mass of iron, which, being raised on high, falls on the head of the pile, and drives it into the earth; the falling weight of a drop hammer used in forging.
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Monkey
To act or treat as a monkey does; to ape; to act in a grotesque or meddlesome manner.
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Monkey
Play around with or alter or falsify, usually secretively or dishonestly;
Someone tampered with the documents on my desk
The reporter fiddle with the facts
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Monkey
Do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly;
The old lady is usually mucking about in her little house
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Monkey
Known for their agility, intelligence, and often arboreal lifestyle.
The monkeys swiftly moved through the canopy, foraging for fruit.
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Monkey
Includes both old-world and new-world species with distinct features.
New-world monkeys have flatter noses compared to old-world species.
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Monkey
Many species have highly developed social structures and communication.
Monkeys use a variety of vocalizations to communicate within their troop.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a baboon?
A large, ground-dwelling old-world monkey native to Africa and Arabia.
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Dec 24, 2023
What is the social structure of baboons?
Baboons live in large, complex, and hierarchical troops.
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Are all monkeys arboreal?
Not all; while many are tree-dwellers, some, like baboons, are ground-dwelling.
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How do baboons differ in physical appearance from other monkeys?
Baboons have dog-like muzzles and a more robust build.
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Can monkeys be as large as baboons?
Some species can be, but many are much smaller.
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What defines a monkey?
Monkeys are diverse primates, distinct from apes, with varied sizes and habitats.
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Do monkeys form complex social bonds?
Yes, many species have intricate social relationships and hierarchies.
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Do baboons use tools?
Baboons have been observed using tools in some contexts.
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Are baboons found outside of Africa?
They are also native to the Arabian Peninsula.
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Do monkeys have a similar diet to baboons?
Monkey diets vary widely, ranging from strictly herbivorous to omnivorous.
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What do baboons primarily eat?
They are omnivorous, eating plants, insects, and small animals.
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Do baboons have natural predators?
Yes, including large cats like leopards and lions.
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What is the lifespan of a monkey?
It varies by species, but some can live over 20 years.
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Are monkeys intelligent?
Yes, many monkey species display high levels of intelligence and problem-solving.
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Do baboons live in trees?
They are primarily terrestrial but can climb trees for food or safety.
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How do baboons communicate?
Through vocalizations, body postures, and facial expressions.
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Can monkeys be found worldwide?
They are native to Asia, Africa, and the Americas, not in Europe or Antarctica.
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Are monkeys used in medical research?
Yes, some species are used due to their genetic and physiological similarities to humans.
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Are all monkeys capable of using their tails for climbing?
No, only some new-world monkeys have prehensile tails.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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