Posted: Jul 09, 2014 10:13 pm
Gorillas, our second closest ancestor, have enlarged canines to assist with the crushing of the incredibly dense bamboo they eat.
Chimps are omnivores.
Humans are also omnivores, and this is all reflected in our teeth.
But diet isn't everything.
Baboons have 4 large canines and don't eat food that requires canines that large. What gives? The 4 large canines most likely increased their ancestor's survival.
Look at their behavior today, and even gorillas. When threatened they will curl both sets of lips back and bar their teeth....long razor sharp teeth. Predators have to think twice about messing with them.
Which goes to show that its not an either or dichotomy, but rather evolution via natural selection combines a variety of environmental pressures on gene expressions after subsequent generations.
Chimps are omnivores.
Humans are also omnivores, and this is all reflected in our teeth.
But diet isn't everything.
Baboons have 4 large canines and don't eat food that requires canines that large. What gives? The 4 large canines most likely increased their ancestor's survival.
Look at their behavior today, and even gorillas. When threatened they will curl both sets of lips back and bar their teeth....long razor sharp teeth. Predators have to think twice about messing with them.
Which goes to show that its not an either or dichotomy, but rather evolution via natural selection combines a variety of environmental pressures on gene expressions after subsequent generations.