Some baboon species still live in wooded areas. Hamadryas baboons have all but abandoned the trees. They scrape a living from the virtually treeless landscapes of northeastern Africa and southern Saudi Arabia. Crags and rock strewn slopes offer the baboon a safe refuge at night while lowland scrub and grassland provide enough food to survive.
   The hamadryas baboon lives in scattered clans traveling 3 - 12 miles every day (farther in dry the season) in search of feeding grounds. As suitable sleeping cliffs are scarce, several clans often gather at dusk to form a single troop of over a hundred baboons.

   The hamadryas baboon's doglike muzzle has rows of flat crowned cheek teeth for grinding vegetable foods. The baboon eats fruit and seeds whenever possible but feeds on grass, fleshy roots and bulbs also. They will supplement their diet with insects and small animals.
   Since African grasslands are the hunting grounds for many predators, the hamadryas has a way of collecting food to process later at a safer place. While feeding, the baboon rests on both feet and one hand. The other hand is used to pluck food items which is then stuffed into cheek pouches that hold as much as the stomach. When the pouches are full the baboon squeezes the food into the mouth to chew and swallow.

   Each adult guards his harem jealously for several years while still courting any sexually receptive (or young and unattached) females he meets. A harem male devotes much time and energy to warding off rivals, resorting to violence if his barks and threat gapes fail. Fights can be vicious. Older males are often defeated by strong young males. A loser's silvery hair may revert to brown.
   The female hamadryas baboon gives birth to a single black haired infant after a six month gestation period. The young baboon is well developed at birth and clings to the mother's belly as she searches for food. As the infant becomes older, the youngster rides on the mother's back. At 2 months, the baboon starts to grow a brown coat like the mother's. Young males do not acquire their silver manes until they reach sexual maturity at 5 - 7 years of age.