Hobbits, or Homo floresiensis, are the nickname given to a recently discovered species of extinct human found on the Indonesian island of Flores. Although their taxonomy is a subject of fierce debate, many experts now believe that H. floresiensis represents a new branch on the human evolutionary tree. Even more remarkable, these creatures would have lived alongside modern humans (at least as recently as 12,000 years ago). Standing at only a few feet tall, the hobbits are likely the source of local legend of the Ebu Gogo, said to have been a short, hairy, language-poor, cave-dwelling creature. Eerily, some local Flores lore contends that the Ebu Gogo survived and may still exist, hidden in the jungles.