Final answer:
Sahelanthropus tchadensis, or Toumai, is considered a hominid due to its physical characteristics and the time period it lived in. It shares similarities with other early hominids despite not being a direct ancestor of modern humans.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sahelanthropus tchadensis, also known as Toumai, is considered a hominid based on its characteristics and the time period it lived in. While it is not believed to be a direct ancestor of modern humans, it shares some similarities with later hominids. Sahelanthropus had a cranial capacity similar to chimpanzees, a large brow ridge, and a foramen magnum position suggestive of a non-bipedal stance. These features align with other early hominids and support its classification as a hominid.