Ardipithecus ramidus, an early hominid that lived around 4.4 million years ago, is thought to have faced extinction due to a combination of environmental changes and competition with other species. During its time, the climate was shifting towards drier conditions, which led to the decline of the lush forest habitats it thrived in.
This change likely resulted in reduced food availability, forcing A. ramidus to adapt to new and possibly less favorable environments. Additionally, as the ecological landscape transformed, other hominid and primate species may have emerged or adapted more successfully to the new conditions, increasing competition for resources.
Furthermore, being one of the earliest bipedal hominids, there could have been limitations in its mobility and adaptability compared to more advanced species that followed. Collectively, these factors may have contributed to the extinction of Ardipithecus ramidus, marking an essential transition in the evolutionary history of hominids.