Gelada, also known as the Gelada baboon or bleeding-heart baboon, is a species of Old World monkey native to the highlands of Ethiopia. This primate is known for its unique physical characteristics and social behavior.
In terms of appearance, the gelada has a stocky build, with a large, robust body covered in long, brownish hair. Adult males of this species possess a distinctive hairstyle, with a long, thick, flowing mane that extends from their forehead to the shoulders. This feature, combined with a hairless patch of red skin on their chest, is why they are sometimes called the "bleeding-heart baboon." Females, on the other hand, lack the mane and have less pronounced chest patches.
Geladas are primarily herbivorous, feeding on grasses, roots, and even some insects. They are highly specialized in their feeding habits, spending a significant portion of their day sitting in groups, picking and eating grasses with their hands. They are well adapted to their highland habitat, with their unique dentition and jaw structure enabling them to efficiently process and digest the tough vegetation that dominates their diet.
Socially, geladas exhibit a complex and hierarchical social structure. They live in large groups, known as "herds" or "bands," which usually consist of multiple females, their offspring, and several males. The gelada society is matrilineal, meaning that females hold the highest rank and pass their status onto their female offspring. Males, once they reach adulthood, typically leave their natal group and seek to establish dominance in another.
In summary, the gelada is a species of Old World monkey found in Ethiopia. It is characterized by its distinct physical features, including a flowing mane in males
