Monkey vs. Baboon — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 12, 2023
Monkey is a general term for a primate with a tail. Baboon is a specific type of large monkey known for its elongated muzzle and dog-like face.
Difference Between Monkey and Baboon
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Monkeys and baboons are both members of the primate family, but they occupy different niches within this diverse group. Monkeys encompass a broad range of species with various traits, distributed in both the New and Old World regions. In contrast, baboons are restricted to specific parts of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
One distinct feature between a monkey and a baboon lies in their physical appearances. Monkeys have a wide range of appearances, from the small squirrel monkeys to the larger howler monkeys. Baboons, however, are generally larger and are easily recognized by their pronounced muzzle, dog-like face, and sometimes, brightly colored buttocks.
Behaviorally, both monkeys and baboons live in social groups, but the dynamics can be quite different. Monkeys in various species can have different social hierarchies, group sizes, and behaviors. Baboons usually form larger troops, and their societies are structured around a dominant male system, where males compete fiercely for access to females.
Habitats also differ between monkeys and baboons. While monkeys can be found in a variety of environments, including rainforests, grasslands, and mountainous regions, baboons are typically found in open savannahs, open woodlands, and hills across Africa.
In summation, while monkeys represent a broad category of primates with a tail found globally, baboons refer to a specific set of species with distinct physical and behavioral characteristics native to parts of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Definition
A general term for a tailed primate.
A large monkey with an elongated muzzle and dog-like face.
Geographic Distribution
Worldwide in both New and Old World regions.
Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
Physical Traits
Varies by species, diverse appearances.
Pronounced muzzle, often colorful buttocks.
Typical Behavior
Social structures vary by species.
Large troops with dominant male hierarchies.
Habitat
Diverse: rainforests, grasslands, mountains.
Open savannahs, woodlands, hills.
Compare with Definitions
Monkey
A primate typically characterized by its tail.
The monkey swung from tree to tree with ease.
Baboon
Known for its sometimes colorful rear end.
Did you see the bright buttocks on that baboon?
Monkey
A mischievous person, especially a child.
You little monkey! Stop hiding my shoes.
Baboon
Forms large social troops and hierarchies.
The dominant male baboon led the troop.
Monkey
To tamper or fiddle with something.
Don't monkey with the settings on that device.
Baboon
A large primate with a dog-like face and pronounced muzzle.
The baboon sat observing us from the tree.
Monkey
Money, in slang terms.
How much monkey do you have on you?
Baboon
Native to Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula.
We saw a troop of baboons while on safari in Africa.
Monkey
Monkey is a common name that may refer to certain groups or species of simian mammals of infraorder Simiiformes. The term is applied descriptively to groups of primates, such as families of New World monkeys and Old World monkeys.
Baboon
Typically found in open woodlands and savannahs.
Baboons are well-suited to the African landscape.
Monkey
Any of various tailed primates of the suborder Anthropoidea, including the macaques, baboons, capuchins, and marmosets, and excluding the apes.
Baboon
Baboons are primates comprising the genus Papio, one of the 23 genera of Old World monkeys. There are six species of baboon: the hamadryas baboon, the Guinea baboon, the olive baboon, the yellow baboon, the Kinda Baboon and the chacma baboon.
Monkey
A nonhuman ape. Not in scientific use.
Baboon
Any of several large terrestrial African and Arabian monkeys of the genus Papio, having an elongated doglike muzzle and bare calluses on the buttocks.
Monkey
One who behaves in a way suggestive of a monkey, as a mischievous child or a mimic.
Baboon
(Slang) A brutish person; a boor.
Monkey
The iron block of a pile driver.
Baboon
An Old World monkey of the genus Papio, having dog-like muzzles and large canine teeth, cheek pouches, a short tail, and naked callosities on the buttocks. 13
Monkey
(Slang) A person who is mocked, duped, or made to appear a fool
They made a monkey out of him.
Baboon
A foolish or boorish person.
Monkey
Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a person with dark skin.
Baboon
One of the Old World Quadrumana, of the genera Cynocephalus and Papio; the dog-faced ape. Baboons have dog-like muzzles and large canine teeth, cheek pouches, a short tail, and naked callosities on the buttocks. They are mostly African. See Mandrill, and Chacma, and Drill an ape.
Monkey
To play, fiddle, trifle, or tamper with something
Who was monkeying with my phone?.
Baboon
Large terrestrial monkeys having doglike muzzles
Monkey
To behave in a mischievous or apish manner
Stop monkeying around!.
Monkey
To imitate or mimic; ape.
Monkey
(properly) A member of the clade Simiiformes other than those in the clade Hominoidea containing humans and apes, generally (but not universally) distinguished by small size, tails, and cheek pouches.
He had been visiting an area zoo when a monkey swung from its tree perch, swiped his glasses and hurled them into a hippo hole.
Monkey
Any simian primate other than hominids, any monkey or ape.
Chimpanzees are known to form bands to hunt and kill other monkeys.
Monkey
A human considered to resemble monkeys in some way, including:
Monkey
A naughty or mischievous person, especially a child.
Stop misbehaving, you cheeky little monkey!
Monkey
(slang) The person in the motorcycle sidecar in sidecar racing.
Monkey
(pejorative) idiot: a person of minimal intelligence.
Monkey
(pejorative) uggo: an unattractive person, especially one whose face supposedly resembles a monkey's.
Monkey
Synonym of puppet: a person dancing to another's tune, a person controlled or directed by another.
No, no, no, not you. I want to talk to the organ grinder, not the monkey.
Monkey
A menial employee who does a repetitive job supposedly requiring minimal intelligence.
Code monkey... grease monkey... phone monkey... powder monkey...
Monkey
A black, a black person.
Monkey
(historical) A small trading vessel of the sixteenth century.
Monkey
The vessel in which a mess receives its full allowance of grog.
Monkey
The weight of a pile driver or drop hammer.
Monkey
A fluid consisting of hydrochloric acid and zinc, used in the process of soldering.
Monkey
(slang) five hundred, especially (British) 500 pounds sterling or 500 dollars.
Monkey
(blackjack) face card.
Monkey
(slang) A person's temper, said to be "up" when they are angry.
Monkey
(slang) A drug habit; an addiction; a compulsion.
Everybody's got something to hide except for me and my monkey.
Monkey
(dance) A dance popularized by Major Lance in 1963, now usually only its upper-body dance move involving exaggerated drumming motions.
Monkey
To meddle; to mess (with).
Please don't monkey with the controls if you don't know what you're doing.
Monkey
(transitive) To mimic; to ape.
Monkey
In the most general sense, any one of the Quadrumana, including apes, baboons, and lemurs.
Monkey
A term of disapproval, ridicule, or contempt, as for a mischievous child.
This is the monkey's own giving out; she is persuaded I will marry her.
Monkey
The weight or hammer of a pile driver, that is, a very heavy mass of iron, which, being raised on high, falls on the head of the pile, and drives it into the earth; the falling weight of a drop hammer used in forging.
Monkey
A small trading vessel of the sixteenth century.
Monkey
To act or treat as a monkey does; to ape; to act in a grotesque or meddlesome manner.
Monkey
Any of various long-tailed primates (excluding the prosimians)
Monkey
One who is playfully mischievous
Monkey
Play around with or alter or falsify, usually secretively or dishonestly;
Someone tampered with the documents on my desk
The reporter fiddle with the facts
Monkey
Do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly;
The old lady is usually mucking about in her little house
Monkey
A mimic or imitator.
He played the monkey, copying every move she made.
Common Curiosities
How many species of monkeys are there?
There are over 260 different species of monkeys.
Can monkeys and baboons interbreed?
No, monkeys and baboons cannot interbreed.
Are all baboons monkeys?
Yes, all baboons are a type of monkey, but not all monkeys are baboons.
Are all monkeys tree-dwelling?
While many monkeys are arboreal, not all are. Some species also thrive on the ground.
Are baboons aggressive?
Baboons can be aggressive, especially when it comes to territory or mating rights.
Are monkeys found on every continent?
No, monkeys are primarily found in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America.
How many species of baboons exist?
There are five main species of baboons.
What do baboons primarily eat?
Baboons have a varied diet, including fruits, grasses, seeds, and occasionally meat.
Do monkeys have opposable thumbs?
Yes, most monkeys have opposable thumbs, aiding in grasping.
What's the typical lifespan of a baboon?
Baboons can live up to 30 years in the wild.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
