Which of the following environments is Homo habilis most associated with?

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Prepare for the UCF ANT2511 Final Exam with quizzes covering key concepts in anthropology. Study with multiple-choice questions, each packed with hints and explanations. Boost your confidence and get ready for exam success!

Homo habilis is primarily associated with savannah environments. This early hominin species, which lived approximately 2.4 to 1.4 million years ago, emerged during a time when the Earth's climate was changing, leading to the expansion of savannahs in Africa. The savannahs provided a diverse array of resources, including grasslands and scattered trees, which would have supported various forms of life and offered opportunities for foraging and tool use.

Adaptations to this environment likely included the development of bipedalism, which would have been advantageous for traveling long distances across open landscapes in search of food and water. Additionally, the tools that Homo habilis is known for, such as simple stone tools, suggest a connection to a lifestyle that capitalized on the resources available in the savannah.

In contrast, other environments such as deserts, tropical rainforests, and arctic tundras would not have been as conducive to the survival and development of early hominins like Homo habilis, due to factors like extreme temperatures, scarcity of food, or dense vegetation that could limit mobility and foraging strategies. This contextual understanding highlights why savannahs are the most fitting environment for Homo habilis.