What Is a Group of Baboons Called, a Congress or a Troop?

OK, sure, you can also call certain groups a family of baboons, but we're talking about large groups that aren't necessarily related by blood. Ivoha / Shutterstock

If you have ever wondered, "What is a group of baboons called," you are asking a question about language and animal behavior at the same time.

The short answer: A group of baboons is called a troop. Baboons are large monkeys and highly socially sophisticated primates, so their group structure matters.

You might also hear a group of baboons called a congress. Both terms appear in various collective nouns lists, but "troop" is the term commonly used in scientific descriptions of baboon social groups.

Why Is a Group of Baboons Called a Troop?

The widely accepted term "troop" is commonly used to describe a social group of baboons, which can have a complex dominance hierarchy.

In everyday usage, people sometimes refer to a group of baboons as a congress. The term "congress" shows up alongside playful collective nouns like a murder of crows, a parliament of owls, or even a pride of lions. These examples are colorful, but they are not always grounded in biology.

Why Troop Makes More Sense

Baboon troops operate with clear roles. Male baboons compete for dominance rank within hierarchies, while females form strong social bonds within the troop.

Researchers like Shirley Strum, who studied baboons in Kenya, have documented complex social behavior in baboons. Their behavior includes alliances, grooming partnerships, and social strategies that affect mating access and food resources.

A large group can include dozens of members, including young baboons. They travel together, sleep in trees or on cliffs, and defend against predators like lions.

The term "troop" captures this coordinated movement and shared purpose far better than "congress."

Where Did 'Congress' Come From?

The word "congress" has a long history in English. It generally means a "gathering" or "assembly." At some point, the term "congress" came to be listed as a collective noun for baboons, but it is not a standard term in scientific descriptions of baboon social groups.

Collective nouns often reflect humor more than science. Just as guinea pigs have a herd and monkeys in a zoo might be casually described in a sentence as a tribe, baboons examples in older lists sometimes include congress for comic effect.

In context, the term "congress" is mainly encountered as a humorous or informal collective noun for baboons, rather than in scientific descriptions.

Baboon Behavior in the Real World

In the world of primates, baboons stand out for their adaptability. Different species, such as yellow baboons, live across Africa and form stable troops that can last for years.

Within each troop, social relationships matter. Grooming can reduce stress, alliances can provide social support, and younger animals can acquire social relationships over time.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.