Homo sapiens, for one, is a SPECIES of the genus Homo, which is part of the larger family of primates. It is the only extant SPECIES of its genus and is believed to have evolved from Homo erectus around 200, 000 years ago. Homo sapiens are the only surviving SPECIES of the genus Homo and are characterized by their bipedalism, large brains, and use of tools and language. They are the most populous SPECIES on Earth and are found in almost every habitat.