Mammal
Orrorin tugenensis
Orrorin tugenensisAlso known as Millennium Man
Orrorin tugenensis inhabited the wooded margins and open forests of East Africa roughly six million years ago, representing one of the earliest recognized branches of the hominin lineage. The structure of its femur suggests an upright, bipedal gait on the ground, while curved hand bones indicate regular tree climbing to forage and avoid predators. Its thick-enameled, relatively small molars reflect a varied woodland diet centered on fruits, nuts, and fibrous plant parts.
FossilPrimate
—observations
—countries
—peak records
ExtinctConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXExtinctRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyWild fruits, Tree leaves and shoots, Nuts and seeds
Predators
- Sabertooth cats
- Prehistoric hyenas
- Crocodilians
ThreatsLarge carnivores and regional Miocene aridification
HabitatsOpen evergreen forests, gallery woodlands, and lake margins
Life spanEstimated 30–40 years
Classification
- FamilyHominidae
- SpeciesOrrorin tugenensis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Extinct species known strictly from fossil material; safe to study.
Responsible observation
- Field Discovery: Leave any fossil remains undisturbed in place and report them to authorities.
- Museum Viewing: Observe authentic casts and anatomical reconstructions in natural history collections.
Image unavailableLater Hominin Close Relative Close Relative
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