Is Gigantopithicus Bigfoot?

In many regions of the world, there are stories about tall, hairy hominids that run away from the sight of people. Are Yeti or Bigfoot the survived forms of Gigantopithicus – the largest hominid ever found?

Occurrence 
This enormous ape lived in the regions of modern-day China. India. and Vietnam. probably between 9 million and 100 thousand years ago. Gigantopithecus coexisted with other hominids. but what distinguished it from them was its gigantic size.

Characteristic 
Most experts believe that Gigantopithecus walked on 4 legs, similarly to modem-day chimpanzees or gorillas. There are also assumptions that it was bipedal. The assumption about bipedalism is based only on the jaw bones whose shape resembles the letter U. widening towards the rear. This feature allowed room for the windpipe. and the jaw was attached perpendicularly to the spine. which may suggest an erect posture.

It is difficult to determine the validity of both beliefs. because the pelvic and leg bones have never been found. But having in mind that Gigantopithecus was a very massive creature (a male could have weighed even 540 kg (1.190 lb)). the legs wouldn't b able to support such weight. If Gigantopithecus moved as the gorilla. its weight would be distributed proportionally on all limbs. which would enable it to move ably.

Gigantopithecus lived in bamboo forests with the extinct genus of the panda, Mich has been proved by found fossils. Therefore. it is considered to have been herbivorous. 

The jaw was massive and deep. The teeth were big. intended for chewing. crunching. and pounding food. Gigantopithecus could have dealt easily with fiber crops. similar to bamboo. Apart from bamboo. Gigantopithecus likely fed on seeds and fruit. which has been indicated by phytoliths found on its teeth. The molars were short and flat. but covered with extremely strong tooth enamel — it's a pity that we don't have it. we wouldn't have to visit a dentist

The premolars looked similar. and the canines were neither too sharp, nor peaked. The incisors didn't amaze with their size and they resembled a chisel. All teeth had many hollow areas. and the analogical teeth structure can be nowadays observed in giant pandas. whose diet consists mostly of bamboo.

Click here to read more.

Source Dinoanimals