baboon

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Large monkey of the genus Papio, with a long doglike muzzle and large canine teeth, spending much of its time on the ground in open country. Males, with head and body up to 1.1 m/3.5 ft long, are larger than females, and dominant males rule the ‘troops’ in which baboons live. They inhabit Africa and southwestern Arabia.

Species include the olive baboon P. anubis from West Africa to Kenya, the chacma P. ursinus from South Africa, and the sacred baboon P. hamadryas from northeastern Africa and southwestern Arabia. The male sacred baboon has a ‘cape’ of long hair.

The flag was selected following a design competition. The waves represent the Pacific Ocean. Effective date: 12 July 1979. >>