Gigantopithecus (Giant ape) is a large extinct primate from Asia. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2.
Description[]
Gigantopithecus is a large ape closely related to the modern Orangutan that lived during the Pleistocene in southern China. Known from a collection of teeth and four lower jawbones, little is known about the animal, but it is believed to represent the largest ape ever known. Males are believed to have weighed up to 300kg (660lbs), with females being slightly smaller. Scientists still debate on whether Gigantopithecus walked on all fours like modern apes, or was mainly bipedal like humans.
The teeth of Gigantopithecus suggest that it was a generalist herbivore and was adapted for grinding through tough fibrous plants, although it is known to have eaten figs. It lived primarily in tropical forests and is believed to have gone extinct due to climate change limiting its habitat. It is speculated that Gigantopithecus may represent the identity of large cryptids such as the Yeti.
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
Gigantopithecus is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2 and was added as part of the Extinct Animals expansion pack. In Campaign and Challenge Mode, it is available for adoption once a zoo has a rating of 4.5 stars.
Gigantopithecus is a Tropical Rainforest animal. It has similar requirements to other apes such as the Chimpanzee, Orangutan and Mountain Gorilla, and will co-exist with them. Like all extinct tropical rainforest animals, it requires a misty spring in its exhibit in order to be comfortable.
 zootycoon.com Description
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| Gigantopithecus, the biggest ape that ever lived, was probably a ground dweller, as it was much too heavy to have moved through the trees like today’s monkeys. It consumed huge quantities of plants in order to fuel its massive system, and it had just the right kind of teeth for the job—large molars housed in big jaws. In fact, the only Gigantopithecus fossils recovered so far have been jawbones and teeth. Scientists have used these fossils to extrapolate the size, shape, and habits of this immense creature, largely by comparisons to fossils of similar species. |
Trivia[]
- Gigantopithecus males in-game are depicted with grey hair on their backs, similar to that of a silverback gorilla.
Gallery[]
