|
|
Post by 0ldgrizz on Dec 25, 2014 14:16:41 GMT 5
Australopithecus lived roughly from 4 million to 2 million years ago in Africa. These first hominids were smaller than modern humans. There were a large variety of dangerous predators in their world. An Australopithecus was not a powerful robust primate. He was not a fast runner compared with other animals. So, just how did he survive in a land where there lived wild dogs, hyenas, and big cats? He had no weapons; not even stone-age weapons. He could neither outrun nor outfight a large predator. Is it possible that his body odor was so obnoxious that only a very hungry or desperate predator would choose him? Consider that, when a human does not bathe regularly, even those of his own species find his odor revolting. Perhaps, this is a mild lingering trait inherited from our early ancestors.
|
|
|
|
Post by theropod on Dec 25, 2014 14:50:28 GMT 5
Most predators (and in fact most humans throughout history) aren’t nearly that sensitive about body odor. If Australopithecus wasn’t really skunk-like in the literal sense, there’s no way this would deter predators. Australopithecus was probably a common and easy prey item, not every animal has an effective defense mechanism. What it certainly could do tough would be throwing stones and sticks, and of course acting in groups, in order to scare off carnivores.
|
|
|
|
Post by 0ldgrizz on Dec 26, 2014 19:56:42 GMT 5
I'm not referring to body odor as we now must combat, but the possibility that they had an odor similar to or worse than a Tasmanian devil; skunk-like. If they were just wandering around helpless, I cannot believe that they could have survived. I have seen how a chimpanzee throws a stick - wouldn't stop a determined leopard, lion, or a gang of hyenas.
|
|
