A long-standing historical myth about the hunting habits of the extinct thylacine, commonly known as the Tasmanian tiger, may have driven the marsupial predator to extinction nearly a century ago. According to a study published on Monday in the journal Nature Communications, newly analyzed skull shapes reveal that the animals possessed specialized dietary adaptations that likely prevented them from hunting the livestock they were routinely accused of killing.
Skull Anatomy Debunks Wolf-Like Livestock Threat
When British colonizers established sheep and cattle farms in Tasmania during the 19th century, they exterminated the striped predators. According to the National Museum of Australia, settlers viewed the unfamiliar wildlife as primitive copies of familiar European species, specifically wolves. This assumption led authorities to offer bounties for thylacine captures, blaming them for livestock losses that were actually caused by wild dogs and poor human management.
However, new research demonstrates that the thylacine possessed a skull and jaw structure completely unsuited for taking down large prey like sheep. Dr. Vera Weisbecker, lead author of the study and an evolutionary biology professor at Flinders University in Australia, noted via email that the animals’ ancestors actually separated from other mammals long before the extinction of the dinosaurs. “The thylacines, in fact, were more closely related to kangaroos than to dogs,” Weisbecker stated.
Did you know? While thylacine skulls were nearly as large as those of gray wolves, their long, delicate snouts more closely resembled those of foxes or jackals rather than robust canine predators.
Dietary Specializations and Bite Mechanics
The research team measured and compared the skulls of thylacines, foxes, and wolves to understand how the marsupial hunted. According to Dr. Douglass Rovinsky, co-author of the study, a research associate at the School of Biological Sciences of Monash University and a researcher at the Australian Museum, the long and slender snout meant the animal used rapid, precise movements.
“Quanto mais comprida for a mandíbula, mais rápido a sua ponta se move quando um animal morde,” Weisbecker explained, noting that the long jaw increased the impact speed of a bite. Rather than fighting large animals like wolves do, the thylacine’s massive skull absorbed the physical stress of striking small, agile prey like bandicoots and rabbit-sized marsupials.
Implications for Modern Conservation and De-Extinction
With the last captive thylacine dying of hypothermia in 1936 at the Beaumaris Zoo in Hobart, Tasmania, researchers are now examining how understanding these ancient marsupials informs modern biodiversity efforts. Australia has lost more mammal species than any other country, with 40% of its marsupial species currently threatened, according to Weisbecker.
Meanwhile, the Tasmanian tiger has become central to de-extinction initiatives. Andrew Pask, head of the Thylacine Integrated Genetic Restoration Research Laboratory at the University of Melbourne, is collaborating with the Dallas-based biotechnology firm Colossal Biosciences to resurrect the species through a hybrid animal. While Weisbecker is not involved in the de-extinction project, she emphasizes that the primary concern must be ensuring Indigenous peoples hold custody of the animal, while noting that the research drives vital advancements in genetics and conservation biology.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the last Tasmanian tiger die?
The last known thylacine living in captivity died in 1936 at the Beaumaris Zoo in Hobart, Tasmania, shortly after the government granted the species protected status.
What did thylacines actually eat?
New skull analyses indicate that thylacines hunted small, agile prey such as bandicoots and rabbit-sized marsupials, rather than the livestock they were blamed for attacking.
Are thylacines related to wolves?
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