A behavior model for Australopithecus africanus

The fossil remains of Australopithecus africanus attest to the widespread practice of homicide and cannibalism. Among living carnivores and primates, the only species to exhibit both cannibalism and intraspecific killing on this scale are Canis lupes, Crocuta crocuta, and Panthera leo. These species share a common diet and a multi-male, territorial group social structure. They probably also shared that with A. africanus. Contemporary primitive societies have more vegetal matter in their diets than these social carnivores but they exhibit similar behavior. This suggests that sometime in the recent past they had more meat in their diets.