Key Knowledge:
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Humans (Homo sapiens) are bipedal hominoids that belong to the class Mammalia and the Order Primates
- Mammals are a group of vertebrate animals that possess hair (or fur) and produce milk via mammary glands for feeding their young
Primates
Humans belong to the Order Primates, which are characterised by several key characteristics:
- Prehensile digits – They have digits for grasping (usually with an opposable thumb and toe)
- Reproductive features – They are K-selected species (long gestation and slow maturation)
- Intelligence – They have comparatively larger brain sizes and complex social hierarchies
- Mobility – Is geared towards brachiation or bipedalism (either obligate or facultative)
- Arm sockets – Are geared towards significant rotation (in comparison to the legs)
- Tactile pads – They have sensitive digits (for dexterity) protected by nails instead of claws
- Eye sockets – Are forward facing (allows for stereoscopic vision with depth perception)
- Skeletal features – Have a reduced snout (less reliant on olfaction) and several teeth types
Hominoids versus Hominins
Primates include all apes and monkeys and can be further subdivided into hominoids (superfamily) and hominins (subfamily)
- Hominoids include all greater and lesser apes (but not monkeys) and are commonly identified by the lack of a tail
- Hominins include all modern (and extinct) human species as well as their immediate ancestors (H. sapiens is the only living hominin)
