Assessment of Feeding Behaviour of Baboons (<em>Papio Anubis</em>) in Hong Hills Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was designed to assess the feeding behaviour of baboons of Hong hills. Direct observation method was used for the study. Data was collected for a period of eight months. The results indicate high diversity and abundance of food items for baboons in the study area. A total of 16 food plants, 4 invertebrates (millipedes, earthworms, grasshopper and crabs); 2 vertebrates (goats and sheep) and 4 crop plants (groundnuts, guinea corn, maize and beans) were observed to be eaten by baboons in the study area. Wet season food plant species include Annona senegalensis Parkia biglobosa, Ficus capensis, Syzigium guineense, Vitex doniana, Vitellaria paradoxa, Haemastostaphis barteri, Grewia molis and Nauclea latifolia while dry season food plant include Adansonia digitata, Magnifera Indica, Oxytenanthera species, Ficus platyphylla, Cactus species and Borassus aethiopum. A total of 8 food plants viz Adansonia digitata, Parkia biglobosa, Magnifera indica, Cactus species, Oxytenanthera species, Nauclea latifolia, Annona senegalensis, and Vitellaria paradoxa were observed to be preferred by baboons in the study area. The result of nutritive value of the preferred food plant indicated that the highest percentages of dry matter content (83.0%), crude protein (22.6%), crude fibre (29.0%), ether extract (4.5%) and ash (27.0%) were found Adansonia digitata, Magnifera Indica, Annona senegalensis, Vitellaria paradoxa, and Adansonia digitata respectively. In this study area, baboon food resources appeared to be adequate representing a potential for good carrying capacity.