What is the biological family of hominids?
Q: What is the biological family of hominids?
A: The biological family of hominids is Hominidae, also known as the great apes.
Q: Does the term "great ape" have a specific meaning?
A: The term "great ape" is a common name rather than a taxonomic label and it can be used in different ways. Sometimes it includes humans and sometimes it refers to non-human apes.
Q: What are some physical characteristics of hominids?
A: Hominids have no tails, strong bodies, and well-developed forearms. Their thumbs (and big toes, except in humans) oppose the fingers, and form a grip. All digits have flattened nails. They range in weight from 48 kg to 270 kg with males being larger than females.
Q: How many genera and species are currently included in the Hominidae family?
A: Currently there are four genera and eight species included in the Hominidae family. If fossil hominids were included then all of the Australopithecines and genus Homo would also be members of this family.
Q: Where do non-human great apes live today?
A: Non-human great apes live only in rainforests of equatorial Africa, Sumatra, and Borneo today.
Q: When did archaeologists first find fossils of hominids?
A: Archaeologists first found fossils of hominids from the Miocene period which was found both in Asia and Europe.
