Ardi
Ardipithecus ramidus
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Chordata
Mammalia
Primates
Catarrhini
Hominidae
Ardipithecus
Ardipithecus ramidus
The genus name Ardipithecus combines the Afar word “ardi,” meaning “ground” or “earth,” with the Greek “pithekos,” meaning “ape.” The species epithet ramidus comes from the Afar word “ramid,” meaning “root.” Together, Ardipithecus ramidus means “root ground-ape,” reflecting its position near the root of the human evolutionary lineage.
Ardipithecus ramidus — The Root Ape of Humanity, a Transitional Walker Between Forest and Future
Description
Ardipithecus ramidus, known affectionately as “Ardi,” represents one of the earliest known hominins, dating to about 4.4 million years ago in the woodlands of the Afar Depression, Ethiopia. This species bridges the evolutionary gap between tree-dwelling apes and the first truly upright walkers. With its grasping big toes, flexible hands, and an upright posture adapted to both climbing and tentative bipedalism, A. ramidus reveals that the move toward walking on two legs began in forests, not open savannahs. Its dentition—small canines and omnivorous molars—suggests a shift toward social cooperation and a diet of fruits, nuts, roots, and occasional small prey.
Quick Facts
Max Mass
Shoulder Height
Standing Height
Length
Diet
Trophic Level
50
1.1
1.2
0.9
kg
m
m
m
Omnivore (primarily frugivorous with C3 plant diet)
Hunt History
Humans did not hunt Ardipithecus ramidus—it predates Homo sapiens by millions of years. However, as a small primate, it likely faced predation from large cats, crocodiles, and raptors. The species is crucial in understanding early human evolution, bridging the gap between our last common ancestor with chimpanzees and later australopithecines.
Three archeological examples:
Aramis, Ethiopia (4.4 million years ago): Discovery site of “Ardi,” with over 100 skeletal fragments.
Middle Awash, Ethiopia (~4.3 million years ago): Additional teeth and bones confirming species distribution.
Asa Koma, Ethiopia (~4.2 million years ago): Environmental remains indicating a woodland habitat coexisting with early hominins.
Time & Range
Extinction Status
Globally Extinct
Extinction Date
Temporal Range
Region
4400000
BP
Late Miocene to Early Pliocene (4.4 million years ago)
Eastern Africa (Afar Depression, Ethiopia)
Fat Analysis
Fatness Profile:
Fat %
Est. Renderable Fat
kg
Targeted Organs
Adipose Depots
Preferred Cuts
Hunt Difficulty (x/5)