This question came to mind after watching a scene in the recently released movie ‘Gladiator II’. Despite the movie’s mixed reviews, the portrayal of baboons as extremely aggressive creatures made me curious about their real-world behavior. If the most ferocious baboons were intentionally selected and provoked, how close could their aggression get to what was depicted in the movie?
The hairlessness in that scene is puzzling as it’s quite rare for baboons. While their aggression is substantial, their survival instinct usually moderates their behavior. A mistreated group, however, might show this extreme aggression. I once had a scary encounter with a baboon in a car at Kruger National Park, and it was quite intense!
@Skyler
It’s interesting to hear from someone who’s had a direct encounter! So, extreme mistreatment could potentially push them to such levels of aggression? It’s terrifying to think about, and hopefully, it remains purely hypothetical.
@Uma
Exactly. In places like Cape Town, baboons have learned that aggression gets them food, so they can be very bold. They would need a strong motivator like hunger or fear to become as aggressive as depicted. There’s a certain complexity to their behavior, showing both tenderness and violence within their communities.
@Skyler
Thanks for the insight! The complexities of animal behavior are indeed profound. It seems the movie might have exaggerated for effect, but under certain conditions, such aggressive behavior could be provoked, albeit rarely to the extremes shown.
@Uma
I heard the movie baboons might have had mange, which adds to their aggressive appearance. Realistically, no human stands much chance against a primed primate; they’re incredibly strong and can be very dangerous.
@Umbrielle
That’s a chilling thought. The sheer strength and potential aggression of baboons are quite formidable. It makes you appreciate the usually peaceful coexistence we have with wildlife, and how quickly it can change under the wrong circumstances.
At first, I thought the movie had switched genres to sci-fi with how the baboons were depicted. It’s a stark portrayal that makes you wonder about the boundaries between cinematic exaggeration and possible animal behavior under extreme conditions.
Having been to Africa and hearing warnings about baboons, their potential for aggression was always a concern. They can indeed be very intimidating.
Merlin said:
Having been to Africa and hearing warnings about baboons, their potential for aggression was always a concern. They can indeed be very intimidating.
It sounds like there’s a basis in reality for the movie’s portrayal, even if it’s dialed up for dramatic effect. Knowing how formidable they can be adds a layer of respect for these animals.
They’re so formidable that even lions hesitate to challenge them.
Pat said:
They’re so formidable that even lions hesitate to challenge them.
That’s a powerful testament to their strength and aggression. It’s fascinating how nature balances these dynamics.
Were the baboons in the movie unusually large, or is that typical for the species?
Blair said:
Were the baboons in the movie unusually large, or is that typical for the species?
The sizes seemed exaggerated for cinematic effect. Typically, baboons are large but not to the extent depicted in that intense scene.