Australopithecus
Name meaning:
Southern monkey
Period of life:
4-2.5 mya
Period:
Habitat:
Rainforests
Taxonomy:
Mammals
Countries:
Name meaning: Southern monkey
Australopithecines are a genus of fossil higher primates, possessing traits of bipedalism and some human characteristics. The Afar Australopithecus is the most famous member of the genus. It was up to 1.5 meters tall and lived in Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia about 4-3 million years ago. Australopithecines played a significant role in human evolution. Modern humans trace their origins through intermediate species back to these ancient hominid apes.
Discussions
Other animals