Gigantopithecus

Gigantopithecus
Classification
Name	Gigantopithecus blacki
Name Meaning	Black's Gigantic Ape
Species	Prehistoric Ape
Family	Hominidae
Diet	Herbivore
Physiology
Description	Giant primate similar to a gorilla, only larger and more aggressive
Attributes	Large size; immense strength; impressive speed & agility; gorilla-like proportions
Height	3.7 m (12.13 ft)
Weight	572 kg (1,260 lb)
Biography
Era	Late Miocene to Middle Pleistocene
Time	15 MYA to 215,000 TYA
Discovered	1935
Locations	India, Vietnam, China, and Indonesia

Gigantopithecus (name meaning "Gigantic Ape"), also called Giganto, is a genus of prehistoric ape that originated during the Early Pleistocene epoch in what is now Asia. Commonly referred to as the "real life King Kong", Gigantopithecus was the largest species of primate that ever existed, standing nearly 4 meters tall and weighing over 570 kg.

In the Series 4 episode The Massive Ape, a troop of Gigantopithecus were brought to the park from Mid Pleistocene India, 500,000 years ago. They reside in the Ape-Men Jungle Enclosure with other hominids.

Facts

Era & Discovery

Gigantopithecus lived in Asia during the Middle Pleistocene period from 2 million years ago to 300,000 years ago. They were among the largest apes and the largest primates ever to exist. They coexisted with our ancestors, Homo Erectus.

Gigantopithecus jaw

Gallery

A Gigantopithecus encountering a group of Homo Erectus.

A Gigantopithecus feasting on bamboo.

Trivia

• The sound effects for Gigantopithecus are that of gorilla sounds used in cinematic movies such as King Kong, Legend of Tarzan, and Rampage.
• Gigantopithecus is the largest ape brought to the park.