In 1957, based on hoofed animal remains in a cave located in a seemingly inaccessible mountain, Pei had believed that "Gigantopithecus" was a cave-dwelling predator and carried these animals in. This hypothesis is no longer considered viable because its dental anatomy is consistent with herbivory. In 1975, American palaeoanthropologist Tim D. White drew similarities between the jaws and dentition of "Gigantopithecus" and those of the giant panda, and suggested they both occupied the same niche as bamboo specialists. This garnered support from some subsequent researchers, but thicker enamel and hypsodonty in "Gigantopithecus" could suggest different functionality for these teeth.