Thylacine

The thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus), also commonly known as the Tasmanian tiger or Tasmanian wolf, is an extinct carnivorous marsupial that was native to the Australian mainland and the islands of Tasmania and New Guinea. The thylacine died out in New Guinea and mainland Australia around 3,600–3,200 years ago, prior to the arrival of Europeans, possibly because of the introduction of the dingo, whose earliest record dates to around the same time, but which never reached Tasmania. Prior to European settlement, around 5,000 remained in the wild on Tasmania. Beginning in the nineteenth century, they were perceived as a threat to the livestock of farmers and bounty hunting was introduced. The last known of its species died in 1936 at Hobart Zoo in Tasmania. The thylacine is widespread in popular culture and is a cultural icon in Australia.

In the Series 4 episode "New Arrivals", a family of Thylacines were brought to the park from Early Holocene Australia 900 years ago.

Facts[]

Era & Discovery[]

The Thylacine lived until recently as the 1930s.

Physical Attributes[]

The Thylacine stood 60 cm tall and weighed 66 pounds.

The Thylacine bares a resemblance to dogs, however they were more related to Tasmanian Devils. They had stripes on their backs similar to a tiger for camouflage and had tails that were stiff compared to the tails of dogs. Like many marsupials, Thylacines had a pouch to carry their young in. They had a pair of jaws that can kill animals with one bite and only ate through flesh rather than crushing bone. Like Tasmanian Devils, the Thylacine were not built to chase down their prey, instead Thylacines ambushed animals by hiding in the bushes.

Behavior & Traits[]

Like many marsupial predators, Thylacines were mostly solitary hunters and only got together during the mating season. They often hunted in forests, coastal areas, and grasslands.

Thylacine

Contents

Facts[]

Era & Discovery[]

Physical Attributes[]

Behavior & Traits[]

Journal Entry[]

Gallery[]

Trivia[]