Tasmanian Tiger
Thylacinus cynocephalus

The Marsupial Carnivore

The Thylacine's scientific name Thylacinus cynocephalus, literally means 'pouched dog with wolf's head'. It had many other pseudonyms apart from Tasmanian Tiger, including hyena and wolf, however it is not related to any of these. The Thylacine's marsupial heritage is clearly evident by the pouch, the shape of the ears and muzzle as well as the kangaroo-like hind quarters.

Like all marsupials, the young are born at a very early stage of development, and are reared in the pouch of the female. Up to four young can be raised in the pouch, but when they become too big, they were left in a lair or followed the mother while she hunted. It is thought that mating occurred in December, the young were born in January and were ready to start an independent life by the next summer.

The most distinctive characteristic of the Thylacine are the 13 to 19 dark bands which extend from the shoulder region to the base of the tail. Each animal has its own distinctive pattern of bands. The banded colour pattern is both an advantage and a disadvantage for the tiger. On the one hand it provides an excellent disguise in the open woodlands which provides the best hunting areas, but it was also the basis for the adoption of the commonly used name "tiger" which automatically gave the animal an unfavourable reputation with Europeans and has influenced the public perception of this animal until the present day.

Thylacines are the largest carnivorous marsupials known in modern times. Its diet consisted of kangaroos, wallabies, possums and other small mammals which it hunted in the Tasmanian bush. We do not know much about the method of hunting adopted by the Thylacine, our knowledge comes from reports by those who were fortunate enough to observe living tigers in the bush and from early scientific and newspaper reports. As the Thylacine is a slower moving animal than most of its prey, hunting and killing cause a problem. The Thylacine overcame this by reliance on its sense of smell and stamina. Reports indicate that the Thylacine hunted singly or in small family groups, tracking its prey for a long time before finally making a kill.

The sounds made by the Thylacine have been generally reported as being a distinctive and high pitched "yip" when hunting. In captivity they made little sound unless disturbed or upset, when they are reported to have emitted a sharp "hiss".

During the time when tigers were plentiful, scientists had little knowledge of ecology. Descriptive studies of animals and plants were valued more than studies of ecosystems, thus no formal scientific studies of Thylacine behaviour were made.

The Thylacine was known to have been generally widespread over much of Tasmania at the time of European settlement. They were found in most newly settled areas, particularly those which bordered onto mountainous regions. They favoured north, east and central Tasmania. Fewer animals were found in the wetter south western part of the State.

Although it is thought that Thylacines were nocturnal, almost half of the sightings have occurred during the daylight hours. It is probable that the Thylacine became more nocturnal in its habits as human pressures increased.