| Gigantopithecus |
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| CATEGORIES ABOUT GIGANTOPITHECUS | |
| prehistoric apes | |
| pleistocene mammals | |
| pleistocene extinctions | |
| megafauna of eurasia | |
''Gigantopithecus'' was a Genus of Ape that existed from as long ago as five million years to as recently as 100 thousand years ago in what today are China , India , and Vietnam , placing ''Gigantopithecus'' in the same time frame and geographical location as early hominids such as '' Homo Erectus ''. The fossil record suggests that the ''Gigantopithecus'' species were the largest apes that ever lived. It was probably a Quadruped and an Herbivore , existing on a diet primarily of bamboo, possibly supplemented with seasonal fruits. However, recent theory suggests it was a Generalist in its eating habits. Although it is not known why ''Gigantopithecus'' died out, researchers believe that climate change and resource competition with better adapted species were the main culprits. One study site, Liucheng Cave in Liuzhou-China, has produced numerous ''Gigantopithecus blacki'' teeth though there may have been other sites yielding such finds in Vietnam. These finds seem to suggest the foraging range of ''Gigantopithecus'' was southeast Asia. Evidence of a separate species, ''Gigantopithecus giganteus'', has been found in northern India and China. In China, teeth of this species were discovered in Daxin, in limestone formations of the Guangxi region, and at Wuming, north of Nanning. ( Holotype ) of ''Giganthopithecus blacki'', in the background Prof. Friedemann Schrenk ]] Based on the slim Fossil evidence--primarily huge molars nearly one inch square recovered from Chinese traditional medicine shops, but clearly genuine - ''Gigantopithecus'' likely stood about 3 metres (9 feet) tall and weighed from 300 to 500 kg (660 to 1100 lbs.). This is two to three times larger than modern Gorilla s, although its closest living relatives are the Orangutan s. GIGANTOPITHECINES IN CRYPTOZOOLOGY Some Cryptozoologists have claimed that a race of Gigantopithecines are the legendary primates known in various geographic locations as Bigfoot , Yowie , Yeren , Skunk Ape or Yeti . IN POPULAR CULTURE
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