Australopithecus anamensis
Background
Date range: 4.2 - 3.9 million years ago
Homeland: Middle Awash, Ethiopia and Lake Turkana, Kenya (Eastern Africa)
Diet: Omnivorous; hard, abrasive foods (nuts and roots) and plants (fruits and leaves)
Cranial Capacity: Small brain size likely (more complete cranial fossil not yet discovered)
Habitat: Wooded, humid environment, lived close to lakes
Distinguishing Features: fully regular bipedal walking (ankle fossil evidence); long forearms and wrist bones indicate arboreal movement; significant sexual dimorphism; parallel teeth in jaw (characteristic of apes); heavy enamel on teeth
