Kingdom: animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Dasyuromorphia
Family: Thylacinidae
Genre: Thylacinus
Species:Thylacinus cynocephalus
The wolf (or tiger) of Tasmania, Thylacinus cynocephalus, took place in Australia. At approximately two meters long and weighing forty kilos, it had a sharp snout; fur short, with brown coloration; and some vertical stripes. Its body resembled that of a dog and its head was similar to that of a fox.
This marsupial of the order Dasyuromorphia, and the only specimen of the Thylacinidae family, had carnivorous habits. It hunted alone or in small groups, usually at night, devouring its prey (usually a kangaroo) with the help of its strong jaws.
Males were slightly larger than females. Each litter had approximately four puppies, which were protected in their pouch.
The disappearance of the Tasmanian tiger was the result of several factors, including: an unknown disease; the introduction of sheep into their habitat, competing for resources; and the false accusation that this species is preying on sheep and cattle from farmers and breeders in the region, its hunting being encouraged, with the right to a reward. Later, it was recognized that the real responsible for this fact were, in fact, the placental lobes.
It was extinguished from nature around the year 1830 - and forever in 1936, at the Hobart Zoo, Tasmania. That same year, a law was created protecting these individuals, but it was too late...
The case of this marsupial is one more proof of how human action can be negative, and often irreversible, in relation to other forms of life.
By Mariana Araguaia
Graduated in Biology