How About Those Humans?
Humans, also known as human beings or people (Homo sapiens) are a species of primate found around the world. Originally from eastern Africa, the species has spread to every continent due to their remarkable adaptability to a wide variety of climates and habitats.
The primary advantage for humans comes from their complex social groups. These groups are created, and reinforced, primarily through the use of spoken and written word. Humans are the only animal known to use symbols in communication. In every part of their range, H. sapiens will form communities with other individuals- these communities are often but not always based on familial kinship; bonds can also be formed based on age, proximity, and membership to other social organizations like religion or sports. Humans have also been known to form mutualistic relationships with other such as dogs, cats, ungulates, birds, and some snakes and lizards.
People are known as one of the few species to use tools, and they do so in a highly complex manor. By use of tools, humans have been able to modify their surroundings via agriculture, architecture, and clothing; this has allowed them to expand their range well beyond the limits that their thermal tolerance and high water needs would allow. In addition, people have used their ability to manipulate tools to enhance their social relationships through the creation of ritual, music, art, craft, and sport, as well as enhancing the scale and violence of inter-group conflicts.
The appearance of humans can vary widely depending on their genetics, distribution, nutritional status, and socio-cultural group. Unlike other primates, H. sapiens are primarily bipedal, walking on their hind legs and leaving their hands free for manipulating tools. The body hair of humans is quite fine, and the skin underneath can range widely from black to white, largely as an adaptation to UV radiation. However, the hair on the top of the head can be fairly thick, and likewise varies in color and texture; it is common in many social groups to arrange and decorate the hair for aesthetic value or social status. Males and females are fairly similar in physique; males average 171 cm (5 ft 7 in) in height and 77 kg (170 lb) in weight, while females average (5 ft 3 in) and 59 kg (130 lb) respectively. Females also have more pronounced mammary glands than males.
People are omnivorous, capable of consuming many different plants and animals collected by a combination of agriculture and hunting and gathering. Depending on their region, the diet of humans may consist of different combinations of ruminants, pig, horse, dog poultry, fish, insects, milk, eggs, leafy greens, roots, fruits, berries, nuts, honey, and tree bark. Humans have no natural predators, although there are some large carnivores such as polar bears and tigers that may opportunistically hunt them.
Like other primates, humans are capable of breeding through out the year. People may form monogamous or polyandrous pairings based on socio-cultural group and individual selection. Pairings are most often heterosexual, but homosexuality is not uncommon and there is a great variety in both gender and sexual orientation, the display of which is dictated by an individual's socio-cultural group. In many cultures, courtship is initiated by the male; he may attempt to woo the female through gifts and elaborate mating displays of dance and sport. The input of immediate kin and important members of a social group can also have strong influence over the process. Selection of a suitable mate usually takes time, and a pair may court for several years before rejection. Following mating, the female carries her pregnancy for 9 months before giving birth, usually to one baby but in rare cases as many as nine.
Infants are completely dependent on external care; this is usually provided by one or both of the parents, and often extends to the entire familial or social group. Babies are typically weaned around their first birthday, at which time their diet transitions completely to solid foods. From an early age, young are incorporated into the social group via ritual, play, and teaching of skills which may come from elders in the social group or designated individuals. Though biologically H. sapiens may reach maturity as young as 13, young are typically not considered adults in their social group until the age of 18. Lifespan may vary widely based on genetic and nutritional factors, but humans are frequently known to live to be over 100.
Conservation status: Due to their wide range and large population, humans are considered stable. They have not been evaluated by the IUCN.
Happy April Fools everyone!
Photos
A Khoisan woman in Namibia by Eric Lafforgue
A Nepalese woman and child by Michal Knitl
An Armenian family and priest by Eugene Lee
A Mexican dancer by Cheryl Schweizer
