How does persistence hunting work, as likely practiced by Homo erectus? Shooting arrows or throwing spears at prey from a distance. Chasing prey until it is exhausted. Camouflaging oneself and waiting for prey to get near. Setting traps in the wilderness to check on later.
Answer
Persistence Hunting by Homo erectus: A Prehistoric Endurance Strategy
🔍 What is Persistence Hunting?
Persistence hunting is a form of predation in which early humans would run after prey for long distances during the hottest part of the day until the animal became physically exhausted and could no longer flee.
🏃 Why Was It Effective for Homo erectus?
- Homo erectus had physiological traits suited for long-distance endurance running.
- They used sweating instead of panting to regulate body temperature, avoiding overheating during extended chases.
- Most prey animals overheat quickly and cannot maintain speed when pursued under the hot sun.
- This allowed early humans to close the gap slowly and capture prey once it collapsed from exhaustion.
🌿 Importance in Human Evolution
This method helped develop traits like cooperation, environmental awareness, and physical endurance—key elements in the evolution of early hominins. It required intelligence, coordination, and understanding of animal behavior, all of which shaped our evolutionary path.