Weight growth in savannah baboons: a longitudinal study from birth to adulthood.

Postnatal growth in body weight, from birth to 7 years, was studied longitudinally in a sample of savannah baboons. Measurements of weight were collected on 45 male and 42 female baboons at 12-week intervals. The weights of males and females were treated independently and compared for gender differences. Distance and mean increment curves were used to describe the pattern and changes in the rate of growth. The results demonstrated that the savannah baboon shares a pattern of weight growth similar to that of other anthropoid primates including humans. An adolescent growth spurt was observed for both genders. The intensity of the growth spurt was substantially greater for males. Differential growth rates between genders during adolescence were responsible for the extensive sexual dimorphism exhibited in adult weight. Females were advanced over males in their percentage of adult growth attainment at all ages.