Climate change-driven forest loss caused Gigantopithecus extinction. A 2022 paper with 157 dates from 22 cave sites traced Gigantopithecus's decline For 1.5 million years they lived in warm tropical forested environments Around 1.1 million years ago, climatic variability increased
A study with 157 dates from 22 cave sites reveals how Gigantopithecus disappeared. For 1.5 million years they thrived in warm tropical forests, but around 1.1 million years ago climate became increasingly variable. By 200,000 years ago, forests had shrunk dramatically into open grassland - devastating for a massive ape needing an estimated 13,000-15,000 calories daily. Unable to find sufficient food, they went extinct. 🌳🌍
Key Facts
- A 2022 paper with 157 dates from 22 cave sites traced Gigantopithecus's decline
- For 1.5 million years they lived in warm tropical forested environments
- Around 1.1 million years ago, climatic variability increased
- 200,000 years ago forests shrank dramatically, creating open grassland
- A 2-3m tall ape may have needed 13,000-15,000 calories daily from fruits
- Unable to find sufficient food in the new environment, they went extinct
Source: Did we ever meet Gigantopithecus? by Stefan Milo