Hey there! Today, we’re going to learn about something really cool: family trees! You might have seen your own family tree, which shows your grandparents, parents, and siblings. But did you know that all people are part of a much bigger family tree that includes all animals on Earth?
Every type of animal, or species, has a special scientific name. Our species is called “Homo sapiens,” which means “wise people.” All 7 billion humans on Earth are part of this group. We are closely related to great apes like chimpanzees and bonobos, but our family paths split millions of years ago.
Long ago, there were other human species besides Homo sapiens. One of these was the Neanderthals. They lived at the same time as early Homo sapiens and were quite similar to us. Neanderthals lived in families, used fire, wore clothes, and had big brains. They were very good at surviving in cold climates because their bodies were strong and broad, with features like big noses to warm up cold air.
Over time, Earth’s climate changed, and so did the availability of food. Neanderthals couldn’t adapt to these changes as well as Homo sapiens did. When the animals they hunted started to disappear, it became harder for them to find food. As Homo sapiens spread across Europe, where Neanderthals lived, it might have been tough for Neanderthals to compete for resources. Eventually, Neanderthals went extinct about 40,000 years ago.
Even though Neanderthals aren’t around today, we can learn about them through fossils. Fossils are preserved remains of living things from the past, like bones or footprints. Scientists have found many fossils of early human relatives, which help us understand how they lived, what they ate, and how they survived in different climates.
Our human family tree is fascinating and shows us how connected we are to the past. Since Homo sapiens are the only human species left, it’s important for us to get along and take care of each other. Thanks for joining us on this journey through time!
If you want to keep learning and having fun, make sure to explore more with us. See you next time!
