How do scientists determine the size of Gigantopithecus without a skeleton?

[Zorgulon]

All we have are teeth and maybe a jawbone. How do we know how tall it was? We don't have a full skeleton.

 

[Shamefuru Disprayu]

Extrapolation based on scale. Doesn't mean they are correct, but its a good way to ballpark

 

[Brubby Two]

Wtf bros do scientists just get paid to make things up? Glorified FnAf theorists

 

[peachlover669]

Wtf bros do scientists just get paid to make things up? Glorified FnAf theorists

the bite of 1200 B.C.

 

[Crex Crex]

Size estimates for extinct creatures are usually based on proportional relationships extrapolated from living or more complete relatives, but there are limits to this. The true size of gigantopithecus is actually very uncertain and estimares often get revised upwards of downwards, considering the animal is basically unknown apart from teeth and a few jawbones, it's closest modern relative (the orangutan) is not that closely related, and it almost certainly had large molars relative to it's overall size. It was certainly big though, at least as large as a modern gorilla based on the absolute size of the jawbone and the minimum size of the whole skull needed to accomodate the teeth.

 

[Maldemort]

It’s all made up just like the rest of the dinosaurs. You don’t think the t-Rex really had those tiny arms do you? Shits ridiculous. Couldn’t even give a handy with those little cuck arms

 

[The Mighty Banth]

They compare it with all the big foot skeletons.