How did the Tasmanian tiger evolve?

Answer 1

The Tasmanian tiger, or Thylacine, (sometimes also called a Tasmanian wolf) was about 100cm-110cm in length, with its strong, stiff tail half the length of its body again. It stood about 60cm tall at shoulder height.

Its fur was grey-brown (not orange, as sometimes depicted), and it had up to 16 black or brown stripes on its back, predominantly at the tail end.

Although it moved on four legs, it had strong hind legs shaped a little like those of a kangaroo. A carnivorous marsupial, it was able to open its jaws as wide as a snake can, which is a feat not matched by any other mammal.

Answer 2

Believed to be extinct, the Tasmanian tiger, more properly known as the Thylacine, was unable to protect itself against humans, who literally hunted it to extinction.

However, the thylacine was the largest carnivorous marsupial, and at the top of the food chain. With no natural predators, it did not need protection beyond the strong, powerful jaws it had.

Answer 3

The Tasmanian tiger, or Thylacine, was not a tiger, but a carnivorous marsupial. Although not related to the tiger, it had a vague resemblance to a small tiger by its colouring. Its fur was grey-brown (not orange, as sometimes depicted), and it had up to 16 black or brown stripes on its back, predominantly at the tail end.

The name of "tiger" was first suggested by Dutch crewman Jacobszoon who was aboard Abel Tasman's ship when he discovered Tasmania in 1642, naming it Van Diemen's Land. As several crew explored the island, Jacobszoon described seeing "footprints not ill-resembling the claws of a [tyger]". Once convicts arrived in Tasmania after 1804, they referred to the "native tiger", and the name grew from there, even though early free settlers referred to the "marsupial wolf".

Answer 4

The Tasmanian tiger moved by walking and running. It was neither a climber, nor a jumper, despite the fact that its hind legs were vaguely shaped like a kangaroo's. However, its strong hind legs gave it extra speed and agility for hunting prey.

Answer 5

The Tasmanian Tiger (more correctly known as the Thylacine) had colouring that would enable it to camouflage effectively in the grasslands and bushland it occupied. Its jaws would open up to 120 degrees - unheard of in most mammals - making it a very effective predator. Fossil evidence indicates it was a solitary hunter, meaning it relied on stealth to capture its prey.

Answer 6

similar to a wolf or dog