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Gigantopithecus ( Latin for "Giant Ape") is an extinct genus of apes. As the name indicates, these were remarkably large animals, possibly attaining an adult height of over three meters (ten feet) and a weight of 550 kg (1,200 lb) — much larger and heavier than current-day gorillas. They lived in Asia, and probably inhabited the bamboo forests; they are often found together with extinct ancestors of the panda.

The only known fossilFor other uses of the term, see Fossil (disambiguation Fossils are the mineralized remains of animals or plants or other artifacts such as footprints. The totality of fossils and their placement in rock formations and sedimentary layers is known as the fos of Gigantopithecus are a few teeth and part of a maxilla (jaw bone) and mandible. These are appreciably larger than those of living gorillas, but the exact size and structure of the rest of the body can only be estimated in the absence of additional findings.

Gigantopithecus' method of locomotion is uncertain, as no pelvis or leg bone has been found. The dominant view is that it walked on all fours like modern gorillas and chimpanzees; however, a minority opinion, notably championed by the late Grover KrantzGrover Krantz ( 1931 2002) was an anthropologist at Washington State University. His specialty as a researcher and teacher was physical anthropology, including all aspects of human evolution, but he was best known outside of academia as the first serious, holds that the mandible shape and structure suggests bipedal locomotion.

In the past, it has been thought that Gigantopithecus was an ancestor of humans, on the basis of molar evidence; this is now regarded a result of convergent evolutionConvergent evolution is an evolutionary process in which organisms not closely related independently acquire some characteristic or characteristics in common. This usually reflects similar responses to similar environmental conditions. Structures that are. Gigantopithecus is now placed in the subfamily Ponginae along with the orangutanPongo pygmaeus Pongo abelii The Orangutan (also spelt Orang Utan Orang-utan sometimes incorrectly orangutang is a great ape with long arms and reddish, sometimes brown, hair native to Malaysia and Indonesia. Orangutan is derived from the Malay Orang Hutan.

Enthusiasts of the YetiThe Yeti is the Western name given to a large primate-like creature reported to live in the Himalayas. Most mainstream scientists and experts consider current evidence of the Yeti's actuality unpersuasive, and the result of hoaxes, legend or misidentifica or "Abominable Snowman" and BigfootThis article is about Bigfoot, the cryptid. For the monster truck, see Bigfoot (truck). Bigfoot is a large creature said to inhabit the remote wilderness areas of the US (the Pacific Northwest, the Great Lakes, the Rocky Mountains, the Southern forests, t theorize that these creatures could be present-day specimens of Gigantopithecus. Without additional evidence, this suggestion must be regarded as highly speculative.