EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -This family, called hominids, includes only humans and their human-like ancestors. The main characteristic that separates hominids from other primates is bipedalism. Bipedalism means “walking primarily upright on two feet.” Evidence of bipedalism can be seen in a primate’s skeletal structure.

Detailed explanation-2: -Bipedal Locomotion Humans are unique among all living primates in the way that they move around. In fact the striding bipedalism that we engage in, where one leg moves in front of the other, is incredibly rare in mammals, and we are the only living member of that group to move in such a way.

Detailed explanation-3: -Some characteristics that have distinguished hominins from other primates, living and extinct, are their erect posture, bipedal locomotion, larger brains, and behavioral characteristics such as specialized tool use and, in some cases, communication through language.

Detailed explanation-4: -Chimpanzees, gorillas and gibbons, macaques, spider monkeys, capuchins, and others are all frequent bipedal walkers. To define humans categorically as “bipedal” is not enough; to describe them as habitually bipedal is nearer the truth, but habit as such does not leave its mark on fossil bones.

Detailed explanation-5: -Bipedalism allowed hominids to free their arms completely, enabling them to make and use tools efficiently, stretch for fruit in trees and use their hands for social display and communication.