HOMINID (noun)
1 : any of a family (Hominidae) of upright bipedal primate mammals that includes humans, apes, and monkeys
2 : an extinct hominid such as Australopithecus
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Humans are members of the family Hominidae, which consists of great apes and humans. The family is divided into two subfamilies: the Ponginae (which contains the single genus Pongo, comprising the orangutans), and the Homininae (which contains all other hominids). The Homininae include three tribes: Gorillini (containing the gorillas), Panini (comprising chimpanzees and bonobos), and Homo (consisting of modern humans, Neanderthals, Denisovans, Homo floresiensis, and our extinct ancestors).
The term “hominid” is used in two different ways. In its broadest sense, it refers to any member of the family Hominidae. In a narrower sense, it denotes only those members of the family that are more closely related to humans than to chimpanzees or gorillas. This second usage is common in scientific writing.
The study of hominids is known as paleoanthropology. Paleoanthropologists investigate both extant hominids (that is, living species) and extinct ones. Extinct hominids have been studied through fossil remains; these remains can take many forms, including bones, teeth, footprints, tools ,and even whole bodies preserved in tar pits or permafrost . Paleoanthropologists also study ancient DNA recovered from fossils; this has helped them to better understand relationships between different groups within the family Hominidae .
Humans are unique among hominids in many ways. We are capable of complex language use , tool manufacture and use ,and sophisticated social behavior . However , we share many features with our closest relatives ,the chimpanzees and bonobos . For example , like them , we walk on two legs ; we have opposable thumbs ; we lack fur ; our brains are relatively large compared to body size ;and we live in complex social groups . These similarities suggest that we share a common ancestor with chimpanzees and bonobos . That ancestor probably lived between 7 million and 10 million years ago in Africa .