Is there a dominance hierarchy amongst other members of a baboon troop?

Dominance exists amoung other members of the troop. A female, accompanied by a dominant male during the few days that she is on heat, could dominate a more dominant rival female. Her male escort will intimidate other females that normally dominate her. The offspring of a dominant female will try to intimidate another grown-up female as long as its mother is nearby.

The dominance of a mother is based on her physical strength and self confidence, and it will rub off on her offspring. The confidence will encourage her young to act in a self assured way. If she mates with a dominant male, her offspring could inherit dominating features. A mother low in the hierarchical order is usually more nervous and, because she often yields to others in the troop, her young may very well adopt the same submissive attitude.