1. Reasons for rise of Australopithecines

Return to History 8 Human Origins Concepts The Australopithecines rose 5-6 million years ago. The had brains no bigger than chimpanzees and they were similar to humans but were covered in hair. "Animals must be prepared to defend themselves and (particularly) their young against predators." The Australopithecines rose by adapting to the environment by eating the vast amount of vegetation. They also had opposable thumbs which helped with eating the plants and gethering food. The Australopithecines died out due to the change in anatomical changes on the earth.

http://evolution-of-man.info/australopithecines.htm

Sydney Buchman