The Tasmanian tiger is now extinct. However, they once lived in Australia, New Guinea and Tasmania. Although researchers refer to them as thylacinus cynocephalus, many refer to them as Tasmanian tigers because of the stripes on their backs. We’re still not sure where the creature might have originated. However, stone carvings of the Tasmanian tiger date back to at least 1000 BC.
Here are ten interesting Tasmanian tiger facts you won’t believe!
1. The Tasmanian Tiger Is Not Actually a Tiger
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Tasmanian tigers are carnivorous marsupials. In fact, they are more closely related to Tasmanian devils than tigers. They are named for their resemblance to the tiger stripes on the lower back. Some even call them Tasmanian wolves because of their dog-like appearance. Like other marsupials, including kangaroos, Tasmanian tigers place their young in pouches and carry them away.
2. The Tasmanian tiger is the world’s largest marsupial carnivore
The Tasmanian tiger was the largest marsupial carnivore until it became extinct. Like the dingo, the Tasmanian tiger measures between 39 and 51 inches in length. That’s about the size of a medium-sized dog. Their tails themselves are also 1.5 to 2 feet long. Tasmanian tigers can also weigh between 30 and 60 pounds, with males being slightly larger than females. Their fur is thick and yellowish-brown.
You might be shocked by the next Tasmanian tiger fact because despite their size, they don’t hunt large game!
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3. Tasmanian tigers hunt small prey
Tasmanian tigers are known not only for their amazing abilities but also for their large mouths. The Tasmanian tiger has more than forty sharp teeth. They can even open their mouths 120 degrees. Although Tasmanian tigers can open their mouths wide, their jaw muscles are extremely weak. As a result, they have difficulty catching prey such as kangaroos because their jaw muscles are too weak to hold these animals. It’s not worth the pressure on their jaws. That’s why it’s widely believed that they only go out of their way to hunt smaller, more manageable prey.
4. Tasmanian tigers are very timid
The name tiger, reminiscent of a ferocious big animal, is very dangerous. However, this is exactly the opposite for the Tasmanian tiger. These marsupials are actually quite shy and timid. Tasmanian tigers will go to great lengths to avoid humans because they are very scared. Due to their timid nature, they do not fight back, making them easier to capture by humans. Tasmanian tigers are also prone to death from fright, researchers believe.
5. Tasmanian tigers are nocturnal
Tasmanian tigers do most of their hunting at night. Throughout the day, they spend most of their time in the sun and catching up on sleep. The pupils of the Tasmanian tiger are oval, similar to those of a cat. These eyes are important to their nocturnal hunting as they allow the iris of the Tasmanian tiger to contract and expand in the dark and give them better depth perception. Known as ambush predators, Tasmanian tigers will use their stealth to catch their next meal.
6. Tasmanian tigers can leap like kangaroos
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Just like other marsupials such as kangaroos, Tasmanian tigers can hop! Occasionally, Tasmanian tigers have been noticed to rear up on their hind legs and hop when frightened. Their strong tail acts as a kind of support, allowing them to maintain an upright posture. Tasmanian tigers only use bipedal hopping when they are frightened and want to run away as quickly as possible.
7. Tasmanian tigers use Yaps to communicate
Another interesting Tasmanian tiger fact is that, like many dogs, Tasmanian tigers communicate using a series of growls, barks and barks. The animal is said to be relatively quiet most of the time, but uses vocalizations to communicate with others in the family. Tasmanian tigers hiss whenever they feel threatened. Since their mouths are so large, they use this to their advantage by showing off their extremely sharp teeth by yawning to warn off predators. Wolf pack members communicate with each other using barks, howls, whines and howls.
8. Tasmanian tiger driven to extinction by hunting
A 2013 study suggested that while wild dogs may have been responsible for the extinction of the thylacine on the mainland about 3,000 years ago, more important factors were population growth, technological advances and abrupt climate changes at the time.
Many people believed the Tasmanian tiger was a threat to their livestock and hunted them. The animals were also bountyed by the government, which also contributed to their demise. The fur trade and overhunting of small animals that are an important part of the Tasmanian tiger’s diet also played a major role. Prey and resources for Tasmanian tigers are dwindling, making it harder to forage.
9. The last Tasmanian tiger became extinct in 1936
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Before extinction, only one Tasmanian tiger remained in captivity at Beaumaris Zoo in Tasmania. He was the last of his kind, and unfortunately died of carelessness. His pen was accidentally locked, exposing him to freezing temperatures. Making the whole situation even more unfortunate is that just a few months ago, Tasmania finally decided to list the Tasmanian tiger as an endangered species that must be protected.
10. Some say Tasmanian tigers still exist
In the last century, some people have claimed to have seen Tasmanian tigers, even though they are extinct. According to many experts, there are no credible sources or evidence to support the claim that they might be alive, leaving us wishful thinking. Sadly, the world has lost its last Tasmanian tiger.
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
