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| Megaprimatus kong | |
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Name: |
Megaprimatus kong |
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Abilities and Weapons |
strength, teeth, dexterity, senses, size |
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Occupation |
Foraging primary consumer |
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Home |
Skull Island |
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First Appearance: |
King Kong (from 2005) |
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Diet |
Herbivore but opportunistically Omnivore |
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Size |
Height: 7.6 meters |
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Status |
Extinct with the death of Kong (although several adaptations showed Kong's descendants so, at the very least, they are critically endangered). |
Megaprimatus kong ("mega primate kong") are the infamous giant apes that inhabited Skull Island. At 25 feet tall (7.6 meters) and up to 8-12 tons in weight, they were the largest primate ever to have lived. The individual named "Kong" was the most famous member of the species and stood as its icon and deity by the Natives of Skull Island.
Ecology[]
It is unknown when the species of giant ape known as the "kong" arrived on Skull Island. Estimates place it at a few thousands years ago, most likely coming from mainland Asia. A possible ancestor for Kong could be the giant prehistoric ape known as Chororapithecus. As Chororapithecus grew to be around 10 feet in height, while Kong regularly grew to be 20 feet or more (based on skeletons found on Skull Island), if Kong is descended from Chororapithecus then it must have adapted quickly to the dangers of Skull Island. The Chororapithecus is an extinct giant species of gorilla native to tropical rainforests of Africa and a member of the family Gorillini. Due to the nature of the gorilla/ape decorated ruins found all over the island, it is hypothesized that Kong's kin came over with human civilization, and may have been used (possibly even bred) as guards, gods, or something else. Based on the habits of other great apes, it can be presumed that kongs lived in small family groups, with females and young guarded by the much larger males. They would live where food was plentiful, ranging down from the uplands into the jungle and the lush growth to be found there. Kongs would feed on leaves, shoots, fruit, and (if chimpanzees are a basis), some invertebrates and small animals. As with other apes, communication was vital among Kong's species, with vocalizations a prime component, but also including posturing and certain nuances of body language. Certainly, Kong's impressive chest pounding displays served to demonstrate his dominance as well as intimidate rivals and frighten off enemies. Something as simple as a grunt may have been sufficient to discourage some predators -- of which the young were in constant danger, as even an infant kong would make a handsome meal for a V-rex. Kong, himself, was brought back to New York with the Carl Denham expedition, was thought to be the last of his kind, and his death more than likely brought about the extinction of his species (though with him being the only living Megaprimatus kong, the species as a whole was already doomed to begin with).
Obscure Origins[]
The origin of Kong's species is as obscure as Skull Island itself, but what seems certain is that his kind arrived no earlier than a few thousand years ago and were not originally native to the island at first, but they later evolved into an indigenous species. Mainland Asia is the likely point of ancestral origin.
Though a kong's physiology bore a strong resemblances to that of African gorillas, some have theorized that the giant pongine great ape Gigantopithecus is a possible ancestor.
If so, Kong's kind had increased in size dramatically in a short space of time. Perhaps this was a natural response to the dangers of the island – the predatory dinosaurs and other aggressive inhabitants? Or perhaps it was evidence of selective breeding? Ape-effigy-bearing ruins abound, supporting the theory of Kong’s kin being revered by the ancient humans of the island. Perhaps the massive apes were also bred by them? Perhaps they were brought with the ancient human colonists from some lost empire in Asia? The answers to these questions may never be known.
Living Together[]
Kong's species lived in small familial units. While Kong’s home was in the mountainous uplands, the rest of his kind lived mostly in the jungle, where food was more abundant.
Adults protected the young from dangerous predatory animals like Foetodon and guided them in finding food. While young were vulnerable, the huge adult males were easily a match for the most dangerous carnivores on the island. The apes were able to combine massive strength with incredible dexterity. They also had the added advantage of grasping hands on all four limbs and, as any kind of ape shows, the intelligence to strategize and outthink opponents.
In their groups, strong emotional connections between individuals yielded tight alliances, and the communicative skills of the apes served to reinforce their bonds. Vocalizations formed a strong part of the species’ communication, but subtleties of body language and posturing were as important. At their most subtle, these could be a flash of the eyelids or a glance to acknowledge another individual. At the other end of the spectrum, the mighty chest-pounding, standing roar was an unmistakable proclamation of power and dominance. Some of these many behaviors were similar enough to complex human behavior to suggest strong emotional development in the pongines.
Age-Old Enemies[]
There was an age-old enmity that existed between the kongs and the V-rexes. Both immensely powerful animals, these great titans clashed again and again in ground-shaking contests of tooth and claw versus fist, tyrannosaurid bloodlust versus primate cunning.
V-rexes viewed young kongs as worthy prey and were either brave or foolish enough even to risk injury to get at them. Both species took the opportunity to kill the young of the other in an attempt to eliminate future threats and neither accepted the encroachment of the other into their territory. Sub-adult V. rexes, less wary than their seniors and in a hurry to establish territories of their own, would be led into conflict with the apes.
The apes used whatever lay at hand as weapons, and the V-rexes came armed with massive, crushing gin-trap jaws. The beasts could inflict savage wounds upon one another. Most clashes were short – one party backing down when the odds were evaluated as out of their favor. But when the stakes were high enough, the conflicts became fights to the death.
The Long Defeat[]
By accident and attrition, over the centuries the kongs had whittled down in number. Like other great ape species, they bred slowly and the young took years to attain self-sufficiency. Injury and sickness were both killers as lethal as any V-rex or Venatosaurus, and each death was a blow to the species. Although never numerous, by the time Carl Denham's expedition uncovered the island, Kong himself was one of the last of his great species.
The strange relationship he had developed with the Skull Islander humans that clung to life on the coast was symptomatic of the unnatural situation in which Kong persisted. He was an intelligent social creature seemingly living alone. Perhaps the living offerings of the human natives appealed to some aspect of Kong’s need of company? Regardless, they did not fulfill it. Defensive and pugnacious, the giant ape was a product of the perils that had surrounded him all of his life.
Physical Characteristics[]
Kongs were extraordinarily tall ape-like primates with unmistakable similarities to ordinary gorillas. They could grow up to ~25 feet tall, had black fur and brown eyes, and walked on their knuckles or on all fours. Although mostly found walking on all four limbs, they were capable of rearing up on their feet, as seen when beating their chests. Like gorillas, the male of the species could grow a white patch of fur on its back, likely indicating dominance, as it does for silverback male gorillas. They possessed immense physical strength, presumably scaled up from their smaller counterparts, and were capable of jumping vertically, something that ordinary gorillas have not been seen doing.
Behavior[]
Kongs appeared to possess intelligence comparable to those of ordinary apes, although some of their movements suggested a superior intelligence more comparable to humans. Kong was seen intelligently tossing Ann Darrow around from hand to hand (and to foot) during his fight with the three V-rexes. He also displayed surprisingly advanced fighting tactics during that battle. He later appeared to playfully scoff at Ann just before picking her up and placing her on his shoulder, apparently realizing that she needed him more than he needed her.
Kongs also appeared to be very affectionate, friendly, funny and playful: Kong himself seemed to enjoy playing with Ann, first on top of a mountain when he knocked her over repeatedly, seeming to enjoy watching her fall down, then at a waterfall when he enjoyed watching her swim gracefully in the water, then later in New York at the skating rink. They were also very protective, as he was over Ann, risking his own life multiple times to protect her after seemingly having a relationship. Like a protective parent, Kong reacted immediately to her screams of terror, and aided her with no regard for the danger (even from the fighter planes, which he could not possibly have ever seen before).
Personality/Motivation[]
Typical animal motivations. As with all great apes, Kong's kind were capable of complex social behavior and would exhibit distinct personalities. Kong himself proved to be very intelligent, even capable of understanding certain human words (or at least understanding a meaning to the sounds). However, due to his social isolation and lack of interaction with others of his kind, Kong was understandably bad-tempered. Kong also seemed desperate for social interaction; this may be why he took the Skull Islanders' offerings, although they seemed to have suffered gruesome deaths, be it accidental fatalities by Kong or the other dangers of Skull island. This need for social interaction was also the main reason that Kong was so incredibly protective of Ann Darrow, even toward her own friends like Jack Driscoll, fighting off dangerous predators such as the V. rexes with a savage fury and even using himself as a shield in such instances.
Abilities/Tactics[]
Most notable was the strength of these animals. A full-grown adult male kong was an equal match for a V. rex, though the largest V. rex would have presented quite a challenge. Megaprimatus kong could lift a full-grown V. rex off of the ground, and even throw, flip and pin the giant carnivores. Kong himself was able to fight off three V. rexes simultaneously, but he was an exceptional specimen with years of experience. Megaprimatus kong had the advantage of intelligence, grasping hands and feet with fantastic dexterity, and primitive weapon usage (clubs, trees and rocks against foes). Grappling, rending, wrestling, punching and biting were also part of a kong's combat repertoire. They were extraordinary climbers and surprisingly agile for their size. Kong himself was capable of swinging, climbing and even chasing after Jack Driscoll's taxi cab in the streets of New York City.
Appearance[]
Kong appears as a silverback male gorilla standing anywhere from an all-fours pose of 18 feet and a bipedal pose of 25 feet in height. The skin was dark black, as was the fur. Older males had grayish to silvery hair on the back and head. An average Megaprimatus kong like King Kong would weigh around 8-12 tons and stand 25 feet tall, with females likely being smaller in overall mass, similar to gorillas, orangutans and baboons.
Diet[]
Megaprimatus kong was an omnivorous creature that ate a wide variety of foods, such as bamboo and other plants, insects (such as termites), fish, birds, eggs, and fruits. They sometimes ate meat of both large and small mammals and also scavenged from carcasses, but they never ate humans.
Predators[]
Megaprimatus kong had many foes. Vastatosaurus rex was a top predator, as were Venatosaurus, Foetodon and Terapusmordax. These were a constant threat to the young. Full-grown male Megaprimatus kongs were equal matches for any V-rex, though the more bolder V-rexes would have been determined to kill the young and risked injury or even death. While a V-rex had the advantage of massive-bone crushing jaws and armored skin, Megaprimatus kong had the equal advantage of intelligence, massive strength and grasping hands. They could use primitive tools such as logs, trees and boulders against threats, and could grapple, throw, wrestle, punch and bite. The young of both species were in constant danger from the adults, and the killing of a young Megaprimatus kong or young V-rex would eliminate future threats. Neither would allow the other on their territory under any circumstances, and fights were usually brief, ending with one intimidating the other until one member of the party backed down. But when the stakes got high enough, it would be a fight to the death. The jungles of Skull island probably rang with thunderous noise from such titanic death matches. The smaller predators, like Venatosaurus and Foetodon, were not as large but were just as dangerous (especially to the young), though packs of Venatosauruses and groups of Foetodons were much easier for an adult to fend off and kill. Like other apes, Megaprimatus kongs also most likely had to fight off other Megaprimatus kongs, especially the males.
Extinction[]
Despite their effective adaptations, the species was eventually wiped out by a combination of natural causes and being hunted by the other creatures.
By the time Carl Denham's expedition arrived in 1933, it was assumed that Kong was the last of his kind. It is unclear what killed off Megaprimatus kong; perhaps a massive earthquake, loss of water, a storm, disease or maybe just Skull Island's many inhabitants just prevented too many young from reaching maturity. In 1933 Kong, the last of his species, was captured and brought to New York, where he broke away from captivity, then was shot repeatedly and fell off of the top of the Empire State Building that he had climbed up to, sealing his species' fate.
However, Myth Explorer would seem to indicate that Megaprimatus kong actually did not become extinct with the death of Kong and survived until at least the late 2010s.
The 1933 film[]
The Kong from the original 1933 film by Merian C. Cooper had only one survivor after his death, Kiko, officially the last of his species (made even rarer by his unique albinism). Kiko was killed when Skull Island sank to the bottom of the ocean during an earthquake, rendering the species officially extinct.
King Kong Lives (1986)[]
Following the events of the 1976 film by Dino de Laurentiis, it was discovered that King Kong was not the only giant ape around, finding a female in Borneo. The two Kongs successfully mated, producing a child. Despite Kong's death, the female and her child were seen back on Kong Island, rendering the species not extinct in this version of the story (but still critically endangered).
Trivia[]
- It is likely that this species of ape is descended from Gigantopithecus, although Gigantopithecus is a type of giant orangutan, so Kong should not even have looked like a giant gorilla in the first place.