There's a very special reason why baboons travel in single file

In the animal world, group movements are often associated with military discipline: the leader in front, the most vulnerable members in the middle, and protectors in the background. But chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) in South Africa are breaking the mold.

A new study suggests that the reason these primates line up is based on social bonds rather than survival strategies.

In a study published in the journal Behavioral Ecology, researchers observed a troop of baboons living in Da Gama National Park in South Africa for 36 days. By analyzing 78 different "walking" movements, the scientists sought to answer the question: Why do baboons walk in single file?

Initial reasons that came to mind included defense, leader-following, or prioritizing access to resources. But the findings were surprising: The baboons only chose this formation to walk alongside their mates.

Dr. Andrew King of Swansea University summarizes the findings:

"The observed consistent walking pattern doesn't meet the classic explanations of avoiding danger or reaching for food. The baboons are simply moving in line with their social bonds, that is, with their mates."

According to the study, instead of forming a protective line around leader figures or weaker members during walks, baboons display a formation that prioritizes close social relationships, much like the natural formation humans form when walking with loved ones.

The study identified the following notable trends in gait sequence:

The most socially connected and dominant individuals generally fall in the middle of the line.

Individuals with lower rank and less kinship ties to the group are found at the front or bottom of the group.

These advances occur mostly in the afternoon or evening, possibly during return journeys to rest areas.

The stability of walking partners over time suggests that baboons make conscious social choices.

This study provides a striking window into conventional animal behavior, challenging conventional wisdom. Primates, often viewed through hierarchy, competition, or survival instincts, are shown to actually form deep social bonds.

Baboons walk side by side not just to get from one point to another, but out of a sense of companionship, belonging, and closeness. This suggests their emotional lives may be much richer and more human-like than we think.