The Memoirs of a Primate, written by Robert Sapolsky, documents the author's stay in Kenya while he studied the different behaviors of a troop of baboons. One of the key aspects of the book was the social rank that developed within the troupe. Female baboons have a fairly simple social hierarchy. The oldest baboons in the pride are considered the higher-ranking females, and as the baboons get younger, the chain of dominance follows. The ranking of males basically went from the strongest baboons to the weakest baboons. The baboon at the top of the social hierarchy was considered the alpha male. This social rank has huge implications for the group when it comes to mating baboons. If another baboon wanted to become the alpha male, then he would have to challenge the current alpha male to a fight and win. The baboon's distinct personality, combined with its instincts, are the main determining factors for standing in the social hierarchy. Another key aspect of the book concerned the strategies implemented when baboons wanted to mate with another baboon. Similar to humans, male baboons would try to impress female baboons in ways that would make them want to mate. The rank of the male is considered one of the main factors contributing to the choice of a mate, as there is nothing more impressive than becoming a high-ranking baboon. Additionally, there have been cases where lower-ranking baboons strategized and formed teams with other baboons to become a higher-ranking baboon for mating opportunities. The baboons in the group are considered a patchwork of different troops, as it is common for a baboon to move frequently to different groups. Each baboon in the troop has a specific place...... middle of paper ... ...malnourished and unable to defend themselves, it was likely they would move on to another troop. The similarities between baboons and humans are also uncanny. From how they choose the most dominant person in their troop for males, to how they choose the highest ranking female. Additionally, the way baboons go about finding a mate is very similar to humans. Humans, by nature, try to make themselves as attractive as possible to make themselves more desirable to their partners. Like baboons, humans aren't just about men going out and finding a partner, because women do it too. Overall, Robert Sapolsky painted a very clear picture of how baboons live, interact, mate, and become dominant figures in his book, A Primate's Memoir. Works CitedSapolsky, Robert M. A Primate's Memoir. New York: Scribner, 2001. Print.