A human skull is displayed inside Wollaton Hall.

Human (Homo sapiens) — A human skull is displayed inside Wollaton Hall.

Creator: Photograph by [Mike Peel](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Mike_Peel) ([mikepeel.net](https://www.mikepeel.net/)); [Wikimedia Commons source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:At_Wollaton_Hall_2023_047.jpg), CC BY-SA 4.0. Licence: [CC BY-SA 4.0 deed](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en).

Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0

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Species record

Human

Homo sapiens

Explore the Human (Homo sapiens) species record in The Ark Is Earth, including classification, habitat, distribution, conservation information, and sources.

Summary

Homo sapiens evolved in Africa about 300,000 years ago and now lives in permanent settlements around the world except Antarctica. Humans are social primates that use language, tools and shared knowledge to adapt to many terrestrial habitats. Agriculture and urban settlement have also transformed ecosystems.

Classification in this archive

  1. Kingdom: Animals
  2. Phylum: Chordates
  3. Subphylum: Vertebrates
  4. Class: Mammals
  5. Order: Primates
  6. Family: Hominidae
  7. Genus: Homo

Habitat and distribution

Selected documented locations — not a complete species range.

Habitat
terrestrial habitats worldwide, urban areas, agricultural areas
Selected regions
Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America

Conservation status

Conservation status not recorded.

Did you know?

  • About 70,000 years ago, at least four human species lived on Earth.

Sources and attribution