Homo habilis, one of the earliest members of the genus Homo, is believed to have gone extinct around 1.4 million years ago. This species lived during the Pleistocene epoch and is known for its use of stone tools, which is why it is often referred to as ‘handy man.’
The extinction of Homo habilis is thought to have occurred as a result of environmental changes and competition with other hominin species, such as Homo erectus. As the climate shifted and resources became scarcer, Homo habilis may have struggled to adapt, leading to its eventual disappearance.
Fossil evidence suggests that Homo habilis coexisted with other early human species for a period of time before it went extinct. This overlap in time and space likely contributed to the competition for resources, which played a significant role in the decline of Homo habilis.
In summary, Homo habilis went extinct around 1.4 million years ago due to a combination of environmental changes and competition with other hominin species.