Practice Random Acts of Aggression and Senseless Acts of Intimidation: The Logic of Status Contests in Social Groups

A group of baboons is scattered across the open plains. Most members of the group are digging up grass corms, while a few rest in the shade of thorny bushes. Several juveniles bounce on the unstable limbs of a dead tree. One female who is resting in the shade looks up as a dominant female approaches. The dominant female stops a few meters away and begins feeding. Suddenly the dominant female lunges at the resting female, who leaps away, screaming and grimacing. The dominant female grunts and resumes feeding.