Fauna
Mammal · GBIF taxon 2435474

Thylacine

Thylacinus cynocephalus

Also known as Tasmanian Tiger, Tasmanian Wolf, Marsupial Wolf

Thylacines were the largest modern carnivorous marsupials, blending wolf-like physiques with stiff tails and distinct dark stripes running down their lower backs. Capable of opening their jaws to a remarkable 80-degree angle, these nocturnal hunters stalked wallabies, pademelons, and birds across Tasmania's diverse landscapes. Intensive bounty hunting, habitat loss, and introduced diseases swiftly pushed them to extinction, with the last known individual dying in 1936.

CarnivorousMarsupial
Thylacine reference
Licensed reference(c) Kelly Garbato, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
ExtinctConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXExtinctRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Wallabies
  • Pademelons
  • Ground Birds
Predators
  • Humans
  • Dingoes
ThreatsBounty hunting, habitat destruction, introduced diseases, human competition
HabitatsEucalyptus forests, wetlands, coastal scrub, grasslands
Life span5 to 7 years in the wild; up to 9 years in captivity
Classification
  1. OrderDasyuromorphia
  2. FamilyThylacinidae
  3. GenusThylacinus
  4. SpeciesThylacinus cynocephalus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Extinct species; safe to observe historical specimens at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Museum Studies: Observe preserved specimens in natural history collections to study anatomy.
  • Archival Footage: Watch historic 1930s film recordings to examine gait and wide jaw gape.
  • Fossil Sites: Explore limestone caves in southern Australia to find ancient fossil remains.
Related species
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