The most abundant and widespread primate: an upright-walking ape with little body hair and a large, complex brain that allows technology, culture and language. Humans arose in Africa about 300,000 years ago, now live worldwide, and form social groups from families to nations.
Quick answers
What is it?Mammal
Carnivore?Omnivore
Dangerous?Yes
Domesticated?No
Awake when?Daytime
Hibernates?No
Kept as a pet?No
Do people eat it?No
At a glance
Found inWorldwide
HabitatTowns, Farmland
ColoursBrown, Tan, Pink
SizeMedium
HeightAverage adult about 171 cm (men), 159 cm (women)
WeightAverage adult 77 kg (men), 59 kg (women)
Legs2
Covered inSkin
Lives ingroups
Lives for70–90 years
Can swim
In the wild
- Where it lives
- Worldwide. Homo sapiens arose in Africa about 300,000 years ago and spread from there.
- What it eats
- Almost anything: diets range from purely vegan to mostly meat, and humans cook their food with fire.
Did you know
Yes, you count. And you are one of the best endurance runners in the animal kingdom.
Humans have about 2 million sweat glands, far more than chimpanzees, which helps on long runs.
A person can survive up to eight weeks without food, but only three or four days without water.
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