Picture of a Gigantopithecus
Where you need to go, if you are interested in the Yeti
A Picture of a Gigantopithecus
Statue of Gigantopithecus blacki and statue creator Bill Munns. This model is depicted as a biped, though evidence indicates this animal was probably quadrupedal.
Gigantopithecus was a genus of ape that existed from as long ago as 5 million years to as recently as 100 thousand years ago in what are today the countries of China, India, and Vietnam, placing Gigantopithecus in the same timeframe 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 and with a diet that consisted primarily of bamboo, possibly supplemented with seasonal fruits, although 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 reasons.
One study site, Liucheng Cave in Liuzhou China has produced
numerous Gigantopithecus blacki teeth, though there may have been other sites
declaring such finds in Viet Nam giving rise to suggest the range of Gigantopithecus
foraging was south east Asia. A separate species, Gigantopithecus giganteus, was
also found in northern India.
Bill Munns creates realistic statues of endangered
and extinct apes.
Molar (Holotype) of Giganthopithecus blacki, in the background
Prof. Friedemann SchrenkBased on the slim fossil evidence, primarily huge molars,
nearly one inch square teeth, recovered from Chinese traditional medicine shops,
but clearly genuine, Gigantopithecus was likely about 3 metres tall and weighed
from 300 to 500 kg — 2 to 3 times larger than gorillas, although its closest
living relatives are the orangutans.
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. A mock documentary about Skull Island on the DVD for the 2005 remake of the film King Kong suggests that Kong's species evolved from Gigantopithecus.
Just imagine this model, in
the photograph abobe, was up in a ledge high in the Himalayas, surrounded by snow
falling, you could easilly say this is the actual Yeti, from all the sightings
many have had of the creature. That would be a great thing in a Yeti movie.