Introduction
Dinopithecus is an extinct prehistoric mammal that lived in South Africa and Ethiopia during the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs. It is also known as the “terrible ape.” Closely related to modern baboons, it was enormous in comparison to them. In the past, it spread fear across its environment, preying on our ancestors as well as many other mammals. Dinopithecus endured for millions of years, surviving from about 5.3 million years ago until around 2.5 million years ago (the Pliocene epoch), and it continued to exist into the Ice Age. Unfortunately, it did not survive into the present, and its lineage has vanished. This article provides a general overview of what is known about this remarkable primate.
Naming and Discovery
Dinopithecus was named in 1937 by the British paleontologist Robert Broom. Its fossils have been discovered in the Swartkrans and Sterkfontein caves. It belongs to the family Cercopithecidae. The only recognized species of this genus is Dinopithecus ingens. Because its fossils are often broken or fragmented, scientists face difficulties in reconstructing a clear and complete profile of the species.
Dr. Robert Broom Source: Unisa
What Did Dinopithecus Look Like?
According to available evidence, Dinopithecus was considerably larger than its baboon relatives. It was nearly the size of a modern human, which would have made it a potential threat to our early ancestors. Of course, this is only a speculative interpretation based on the assumption that Dinopithecus could have been aggressive. Although the internet sometimes claims that it hunted humans, the scientific literature provides no strong evidence to support this. The origin of this speculation lies in the behavior of modern baboons, which are opportunistic and aggressive. If Dinopithecus behaved like its relatives, it might have attacked early hominins and perhaps even preyed upon them. Its large body size and weight estimates play a role in fueling this speculation.
Males are thought to have stood about 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall, while females reached around 1.2 meters (4 feet). In this way, they were roughly twice the size of modern baboons. Males are estimated to have weighed 45–50 kilograms, while females weighed around 30 kilograms. This degree of sexual dimorphism suggests a strong male dominance within the species. Earlier studies proposed that they could have exceeded 70 kilograms, but Dunbar (1992) argued that this figure was too high for Dinopithecus, unless it had a diet similar to that of Theropithecus. Unfortunately, the information we currently possess about this species remains limited.
Comparison with Human and Modern Baboon
What Did Dinopithecus Eat?
The diet of Dinopithecus has been reconstructed through studies of its dental morphology, microscopic wear patterns, and isotopic analyses. According to these studies, it consumed not only fruits and grasses but also meat. In addition, a 2021 study suggests that it also ate harder and more brittle foods, including seeds, shells, and roots. While it is generally thought to have been omnivorous, the exact types of meat it may have consumed remain uncertain.
It is worth noting that many images and descriptions found on the internet do not accurately reflect the scientific evidence. Yet, as humans, we are imaginative and creative beings who love to envision the extraordinary. After all, the idea of a giant baboon terrorizing its surroundings is far more captivating than one quietly foraging in the background—don’t you think?
Possible Threats
Dinopithecus likely had several potential enemies. Among these were saber-toothed cats such as Dinofelis and Machairodus. Considering the size of this primate, the number of predators capable of hunting it would have been limited, and it remains uncertain which predator specifically targeted it.
In addition to these large cats, Crocodylus thorbjarnarsoni, a relative of the modern crocodile, was also a possible threat. Given the massive size and formidable teeth of crocodiles, they may have been capable of preying on Dinopithecus. Moreover, Dinopithecus lived during the same period as our ancestors. Although there is no solid evidence, it is possible that early humans also hunted and consumed this animal.
Dinofelis Source: Wikipedia
Place in Popular Culture
Some extinct creatures are far more famous than others—mammoths and dinosaurs, for instance. Dinosaurs, in particular, hold a significant place in popular culture and everyday life compared to most other extinct animals. Countless dinosaur species have been turned into toys, cartoons, and books. They are loved not only by children but also appreciated by adults. Many adults have watched movies or documentaries about dinosaurs. Mammoths, too, became widely known and beloved thanks to the Ice Age movie series.
For most other prehistoric animals, however, the general public has little knowledge or awareness—and Dinopithecus is no exception. I first came across it in a Reddit post, and later I encountered it frequently through YouTube, which sparked my curiosity and interest.
Outside of YouTube, Dinopithecus also appears in a video game: Ark: Survival Evolved. Like many other prehistoric creatures, it is included in the game, which can be found on the Steam platform for those interested.
Beyond this, I have not come across Dinopithecus in any films or other works. Perhaps, as we learn more about it and gain clearer insights, it may one day achieve greater popularity.
How Did Dinopithecus Go Extinct?
We have no direct evidence of how Dinopithecus became extinct—only a few hypotheses proposed by scientists. One idea suggests that it was unable to adapt to the climate changes brought on by the Ice Age and consequently died out. Another hypothesis is that it could not find enough food and grew weak, as its large body size was poorly suited to the environmental conditions of the time. Once weakened, it may have fallen victim to the predators that remained.
It is also possible that humans contributed to its extinction, but there is no strong evidence to support this. Moreover, Dinopithecus inhabited more specific regions rather than spreading widely like our ancestors did, making large-scale human hunting an unlikely explanation.
According to most researchers, the most probable scenario is a combination of climate change, dwindling resources, and predation. Dinopithecus likely faced increasing competition for already limited food supplies and was eventually hunted by other predators. Perhaps our ancestors also played a small role in its disappearance.
References
- Benefit, B. R. (2002). Body mass in cercopithecidae (Primates, Mammalia): Estimation and scaling in extinct and extant taxa. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 118(4), 406–407. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.20020
- Britain, G. (1953). Fossil mammals of Africa (Vol. 8, Part 1). British Museum (Natural History).
- Hitchcock, K. (2024, May 27). Dinopithecus. A-Z Animals. https://a-z-animals.com/animals/dinopithecus/#single-animal-text
- Pregibon, A. K., & Williams, F. L. (n.d.). Examining the dietary behavior of Australopithecus robustus and Rossil primates from Swartkrans, South Africa using low-magnification stereomicroscopy of dental microwear. Digital Commons @ the Georgia Academy of Science. https://digitalcommons.gaacademy.org/gjs/vol79/iss1/11/
