Dickson's Thylacine
Thylacinus cynocephalus
Click to enlarge image
© A Musser
Fast Facts
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- IUCN Conservation Status
- EXTINCT (EX)
-
Classification
- Genus
- Nimbacinus
- Species
- dicksoni
-
- Size Range
- Length (head and body): 50cm
Dickon's Thylacine lived 23 to 16 million years ago, early Miocene.
Identification
Dickon's Thylacine was a predator that ate small and medium-sized mammals, reptiles and birds. Instead of being a fast runner, it may have tired out its prey in long chases.
Dickson's Thylacine is closely related to the Tasmanian Thylacine, which became extinct during the 20th century. Its closest living relatives are now dasyurid marsupials such as quolls and the Tasmanian Devil.
Fossils
The skeleton of Dickson's Thylacine is one of the most perfectly preserved animals from the Riversleigh World Heritage fossil property.
Fossils of Dickson's Thylacine include an almost complete skull and skeleton as well as many individual teeth. They have been found at Riversleigh in north-western Queensland and at Bullock Creek in the Northern Territory.
