Thylacine

The Thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus), commonly known as the Tasmanian tiger or Tasmanian wolf, was the largest known carnivorous marsupial of modern times. Native to Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea, it became extinct in the 20th century. Its wolf-like appearance, striped back, and unique marsupial traits made it one of the most iconic examples of convergent evolution.

Taxonomy and Classification[]

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Dasyuromorphia
Family: Thylacinidae
Genus: Thylacinus
Species: T. cynocephalus

The thylacine was the last extant member of the family Thylacinidae, a group of marsupial predators that once included multiple genera across Australia. Its closest living relatives are the dasyurids, such as the Tasmanian devil and quolls.

Physical Description[]

Length: About 100–130 cm (39–51 in), plus a tail of 50–65 cm (20–26 in)
Height (at shoulder): Approximately 60 cm (24 in)
Weight: 15–30 kg (33–66 lbs)
Coloration: Sandy or yellow-brown fur with 13–20 dark stripes across the back and base of the tail
Head: Dog-like, with a stiff tail and large jaws capable of opening up to 80 degrees

Despite its canine appearance, the thylacine was not a placental mammal but a marsupial, carrying and nursing its young in a pouch like kangaroos.

Distribution and Habitat[]

The thylacine once ranged across mainland Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea, but it vanished from the mainland about 2,000 years ago, likely due to competition with humans and the dingo. It survived in Tasmania until the early 20th century, inhabiting:

Forests
Wetlands
Grasslands

It was most active at night (nocturnal) or during twilight hours (crepuscular).

Behavior and Ecology[]

Diet and Hunting[]

The thylacine was a carnivore, preying on:

Small mammals (e.g., bandicoots, wallabies)
Birds and reptiles
Livestock, particularly sheep, according to settler reports (though this may have been exaggerated)

It likely relied on stealth and stamina, not speed, to ambush or pursue prey.

Social Structure[]

There is limited information, but evidence suggests thylacines were mostly solitary or lived in small family groups.

Reproduction[]

Thylacines had a backward-opening pouch
Litters typically consisted of 2–4 joeys
Young stayed in the pouch for about 3 months, then remained in the den for several additional months

Extinction[]

The last known thylacine died in captivity at the Hobart Zoo in Tasmania on September 7, 1936, just two months after the species was officially granted protection.

Primary Causes of Extinction:[]

Persecution: Thylacines were considered threats to sheep and were hunted extensively, with government bounties issued from the 1830s to the early 20th century.
Habitat destruction: Agriculture and settlement fragmented their environment.
Competition: With introduced dogs and changes in prey availability.
Disease: Some researchers suggest an unknown epidemic also played a role.

Despite numerous unconfirmed sightings in the decades since, the species is considered extinct by the IUCN.

Legacy and Cultural Significance[]

The thylacine is a cultural icon in Australia and Tasmania, representing both wildlife loss and ongoing fascination with extinction. It has appeared in:

Literature and film
Scientific discussions on de-extinction
Emblems, stamps, and the logo of the Tasmanian government

Scientific Interest and De-Extinction[]

Interest in cloning and de-extinction has grown in recent years, with efforts to sequence the thylacine's genome from preserved specimens. Although no cloning has occurred, some scientists believe a viable approach may be possible in future decades using advanced reproductive technologies and related marsupials like the Tasmanian devil as surrogates.