Omnivory and Utilization of Food Resources by Chacma Baboons, Papio ursinus

Chacma baboon omnivory is an adaptation to reduce intraspecific and interspecific competition for food resources. When available, animal matter was the most preferred food, and alternative foods were ignored. Fruits and seeds were second choice and leafy vegetation was least preferred. Under most circumstances the troop social structure and the morphology of baboons reduces predation risk and the need for watchfulness. Baboons consequently can spend long intervals processing food, thus enabling them to circumvent the antiherbivory adaptations of many plants. This enables baboons to utilize resources unavailable to some interspecific competitors.