ANIMAL:Thylacine/Tasmanian Tiger/Tasmanian Wolf Thylacinus cynocephalus
Type of Animal:
Dasyuromorph
Habitat:
Grasslands, wetlands, forests, plains, hilly scrub, thickets bordering hilly forest/scrub, hilly areas adjacent to grasslands, grassy woodlands, open coastal areas, coastal scrub, alpine scrub, marshes, suburban areas, riparian areas, agricultural areas
Location(s):
Tasmania. Became extinct on Australian mainland & New Guinea by around 20 CE/AD.
Appearance:
Looked similar to medium-sized to large canid w/ tiger-like stripes, canid-like head, stiff tail, abdominal pouch similar to marsupial, rounded erect ears, sandy yellowish-brown to gray color, rather short legs, both sexes had pouches (only other marsupial known to have this is still extant Yapok/Water Opossum of Central & South America)
Food/Diet:
Kangaroos, wallabies, bettongs, wombats, bats, bandicoots, potoroos, possums, birds (including emus), rodents, rabbits, sheep, goats, carrion, blood, echidnas, calves, pigs
Status in Wild:
Extinct
Conservation:
Given protected status in July 1936 w/ last-known living thylacine dying 2 months later at now-closed Beaumaris Zoo in Tasmanian capital Hobart. Officially declared extinct in 1986. Tasmanian Advisory Committee for Native Fauna recommended setting up reserve protecting them in W Tasmania in 1928.
Lifestyle:
Solitary, male-female pairs, or small family packs of breeding pair & offspring.
Additional Info:Called:
Male: Dog
Female: Bitch
Young: Joey
Group: Pack
Weight:
Male: 43 lbs
Female: 30 lbs
Young: 10 lbs
Gestation:
1 monthLife Span:
5-7 years
Height:
Male: 2.25 ft
Female: 1.9-2 ft
Body Length:
Male: 5.35 ft
Female: 5.05 ft
Tail Length:
Male: 2.675 ft
Female: 2.525 ft
Large dogs & dingoes occasionally preyed on these animals.
Became extinct due to extensive hunting (especially bounty hunting), diseases, introduction of dogs, & human encroachment.
These animals were mostly nocturnal, though sometimes active at dawn & dusk (crepuscular).
They were believed to breed year-round.
These animals were carnivorous marsupials & had no relation to wolves or tigers.
These animals only once successfully bred in captivity at Melbourne Zoo in 1899.
Females had 2-4 joeys per litter, carrying them in pouch for up to 3 months, & staying w/ family for longer.
Last thylacine outside Australia died at London Zoo in 1931.
While officially recognized as extinct from Australian mainland thousands of years ago, there are some reports of these animals persisting on mainland all the way into 1830s.
Last thylacine killed in wild shot in 1930.
Fun Fact(s):
Australian Museum in Sydney began cloning project in 1999 using genetic material from preserved specimens to restore species from extinction.
While officially declared extinct in 1986, there have been hundreds of unconfirmed sightings in Tasmania & on Australian mainland. Some studies believe these only became extinct between 1998 & 2001. Others believe these animals still exist.
