Question

If the savanna environment was not the factor favoring bipedalism, what was? Describe some of the advantages of bipedalism (be sure to think about what life would have been like for our ancestors millions of years ago when bipedalism evolved, including their risk of predation, food availability, etc.). Are there any disadvantages to bipedalism? If so, what are they? Taking into account the possible advantages and disadvantages, why do you think bipedalism might have evolved?

Answer 1

Bipedalism is a form of terrestrial locomotion where an organism moves by means of its two rear limbs or legs.

Factors favouring bipedalism are:

* bipedalism offered greater efficiency for long distance travel.

* they travel by flying which gives them a protection or self defence from predators.

* wings protect  them from harsh environmental codition.

Advantages of bipedalism are :

* Bipedalism can see better over long distances by wings.

* wings help them from predators on land as well as in air.

* can travel to different places easily in search of food.

Disadvantages :

* body is not flexible

* reduced flexibility makes climbing harder.

* constricted birth canals

Bipedalism might evolve because it allows energy efficient locomotion in open environment due to dun exposure to keep them cool.

Natural selection favoured bipedalism. Humans began walking on two feet instead of four in order to free their hands to do other tasks, this also double up their height also. The ability to see over the tall grasses as they hunted, gathered, or migrated become a very beneficial trait. Bipedalism allowed the human ancestors to keep the forelimbs free in order to build and use the tools. They could walk and carry tools, or even use the tools, at the same. This was a great advantage as they migrated long distances and created new habitats in new areas.