Hominid | Definition, Characteristics & Types

Behaviorally, chimpanzees are very social animals and live in big communities. Male chimpanzees are common leads of their communities, beginning with an alpha male and his group of male allies. Grooming socially also helps the process of bonding. They usually walk on all fours but can also stand upright, and climb trees. Chimpanzees use tools like sticks to get insects out of nests and stones to break open seeds.

Chimpanzees are currently an endangered species, and this is mainly due to human involvement. Humans have been partaking in the deforestation of several key chimpanzee habitats, resulting in most chimpanzees being displaced.

Bonobos

Bonobos were once considered a subspecies of chimpanzees. Bonobos share almost 99% of their DNA with humans. Bonobos are similar in size to chimpanzees in terms of height and weight. They are more frequently seen standing upright. Bonobos can live up to 50 years in expert care, but it is unknown how long they live in the wild. They have a similar diet to chimpanzees, but only consume animals like worms, insects, and smaller fish. Their main diet consists of leaves, lots of fruits, and stems, so they are considered omnivorous frugivores. Bonobos are only found in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa.

Bonobos are very social mammals and bond in similar ways to chimpanzees through the process of grooming. Bonobos have been able to communicate with humans using symbols if taught from a young age. Females are the leaders of their communities. Apart from grooming, bonobos also use touch as a form of reassurance and comfort between each other. Playing is also integral to growing up since bonobos test their skills and slowly gain independence while doing so.

Bonobos are considered one of the most endangered species of the great apes; this can be attributed to humans taking over their home territory through deforestation.

Gorillas

A Silverback Gorilla

Gorillas have two distinct species: Western and Eastern gorillas. They are very peaceful and family-oriented apes who live in large complex families. They are the biggest primates, with an adult male weighing anywhere between 300 and 500 pounds and standing at about 6 feet tall. Gorillas are very family-oriented and have very large troops, ranging anywhere between 3 and 30 gorillas. The alpha male is commonly a silverback gorilla. Gorillas share about 98% of their DNA with humans. Their primary habitat is the rainforest where their diet is 100% plant-based. In fact, they eat up to 40 pounds worth of food like leaves, seeds, ants, and fruits, each day. They do not use tools, but use their hands to smash shells or insect nests.

While they do not have any natural enemies or predators, gorillas are endangered. This can be attributed to human interference and habitat destruction.

Orangutans

Sharing about 97% of the same DNA as humans, orangutans have a lifespan of about 30-40 years in the wild. They stand anywhere between 4 to 5 feet tall and weigh between 73 and 180 pounds. The word 'orangutan' stems from the Malay word for 'person of the forest'. They spend most of their time in trees in their natural habitat, the rainforest. Their diet consists of mainly fruit and leaves.

They are very solitary beings when compared to the other great apes. Orangutans are also greatly endangered because of deforestation and hunting.

• Australopithecus. In the 1970s, paleontologists discovered a skeleton in Ethiopia that was ape-like but showed signs of bipedalism. Now named "Lucy," this skeleton belonged to an ancient hominid species, Australopithecus, that lived around 3.2 million years ago.
• Homo Habilis. The most ancient species of the Homo genus, Homo habilis was known for being 'handy men' since they used tools. They lived in Tanzania around 2.8 million years ago and became extinct roughly 1.5 million years ago. They were more advanced than Australopithecus because of their skull form and use of tools.
• Homo Erectus. This Homo species was the first to walk completely upright, hence the name Homo erectus. They lived roughly 1.8 million years ago and were found in East Africa. They also used tools and were able to communicate using symbols.
• Neanderthals. Homo neanderthalensis, or Neanderthals for short, had very large skulls and bulky features, and roamed Europe around 500,000 years ago. They were very similar to modern humans, since they used animals and plants to their advantage. They were also fishermen and used diverse tools. They also included painters, showing signs of creativity and intelligence.
• Homo Sapiens. Homo sapiens emerged around 300,000 years ago and lived while Neanderthals still roamed Europe. Homo sapiens were more focused around Africa, and they began migrating to the rest of the world in time. Because of the migration, they had babies with other human species, such as Neanderthals. This is why European individuals today may carry about 1-4% of Neanderthal DNA. Homo Sapiens were intelligent, had paintings, migrated all over the Earth, and soon colonized the planet.

• Chimpanzees, share about 98.7% of their DNA with humans. They are omnivorous, social, and patriarchal. They only live in Western and Central Africa and are endangered due to deforestation.
• Bonobos, who share almost 99% of their DNA with humans. They are omnivores only found in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa. Bonobos are very social and have been known to show playful behavior, and they have matriarchal families. They are also endangered due to deforestation.
• Gorillas, who are gentle giants. They are classified into Western and Eastern gorillas and have patriarchal families. They share about 98% of their DNA with humans and are mostly vegetarian. Deforestation and illegal hunting have resulted in them being endangered.
• Orangutans, who are native to East Asia. These great apes are omnivores, solitary, share about 97% of their DNA with humans, and are also greatly endangered due to deforestation.

Ancient hominids include:

• Australopithecus, who lived around 3.2 million years ago. They were ape-like but were capable of bipedalism.
• Homo Habilis, who were the most ancient Homo species and used tools. They roamed the Earth around 2.8 million years ago.
• Homo Erectus, who stood upright and used tools as well, living around 1.8 million years ago.
• Neanderthals, who lived about 500,000 years ago in Europe and had larger and bulky features.
• Homo Sapiens, who emerged roughly 300,000 years ago and colonized the Earth with their intelligence and migration abilities.