How do scientists determine the size of Gigantopithecus without a skeleton?

  • 🏰 The Fediverse is up. If you know, you know.
  • Want to keep track of this thread?
    Accounts can bookmark posts, watch threads for updates, and jump back to where you stopped reading.
    Create account
Solution
Size estimates for extinct creatures are usually based on proportional relationships extrapolated from living or more complete relatives, but there are limits to this. The true size of gigantopithecus is actually very uncertain and estimares often get revised upwards of downwards, considering the animal is basically unknown apart from teeth and a few jawbones, it's closest modern relative (the orangutan) is not that closely related, and it almost certainly had large molars relative to it's overall size. It was certainly big though, at least as large as a modern gorilla based on the absolute size of the jawbone and the minimum size of the whole skull needed to accomodate the teeth.
Size estimates for extinct creatures are usually based on proportional relationships extrapolated from living or more complete relatives, but there are limits to this. The true size of gigantopithecus is actually very uncertain and estimares often get revised upwards of downwards, considering the animal is basically unknown apart from teeth and a few jawbones, it's closest modern relative (the orangutan) is not that closely related, and it almost certainly had large molars relative to it's overall size. It was certainly big though, at least as large as a modern gorilla based on the absolute size of the jawbone and the minimum size of the whole skull needed to accomodate the teeth.
 
Solution
It’s all made up just like the rest of the dinosaurs. You don’t think the t-Rex really had those tiny arms do you? Shits ridiculous. Couldn’t even give a handy with those little cuck arms
 
Back
Top Bottom