Thylacine
Thylacinus cynocephalus · Mammal, Vertebrate, Warm-blooded, Wild
Animal Family
Family Thylacinidae, order Dasyuromorphia, class Mammalia
Animal Category
Endangered Species
Breed / Variety
Extinct species, no surviving subspecies
Conservation Status
Extinct, with the last known individual dying in captivity in 1936.
About This Creature
Resembled a medium-to-large-size dog with a yellowish-brown coat featuring 13 to 21 distinct dark transverse stripes across its back, rump, and base of the tail.
Physical Characteristics
Stiff tail, heavy-set body, short and dense fur, prominent dark stripes, and an extraordinary gape allowing its jaws to open up to 120 degrees.
Behavior & Temperament
Generally shy and nocturnal apex predator, hunted solitarily or in pairs, known for endurance tracking rather than rapid sprints.
Habitat & Diet
Origin Region
Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea
Habitat
Sparse open eucalyptus forests, wetlands, and grasslands; Terrestrial
Diet & Nutrition
Carnivorous, feeding on small mammals, birds, and small reptiles, using ambush and persistence hunting methods.
Lifespan & Health
Estimated 5 to 7 years in the wild, up to a few more in captivity; impacted by introduced diseases and human persecution.
Special Characteristics
Famous for its convergent evolution with placental canids despite being a marsupial, equipped with a backward-facing pouch in females.
Ecological Information
Former apex marsupial predator of its ecosystem, playing a critical role in regulating herbivore populations.