1. Diprotodon: The largest marsupial that ever existed on the planet
One hundred thousand years ago, this huge animal once roamed our planet. This giant monster is nearly 2 meters tall and 3.5 meters long. Scientists estimate that this giant animal weighs about 2.5 tons.
Diprotodon optatum lived in what we know today as Australia during the Pleistocene epoch (about 2,580,000 to 11,700 years ago). For example, scientists have found fossils of this species in the riverbeds of the southernmost and northernmost coasts.
These findings make Diprotodon one of the most famous and widespread examples of megafauna species. Megafauna is a word that scientists use to describe giant creatures of the past.
In addition, the scientists discovered that all the Diprotodon optatum fossils belonged to one species. In contrast, they had previously assumed that two species of completely different sizes existed.
However, sexual dimorphism can now explain the difference in their findings about fossil sizes. Despite these findings, experts still know very little about Diprotodon.
2. Marsupial Tapir
This 500 kg to 1 ton marsupial walked the Earth four million years ago. Paleontologists believe that the Marsupial Tapir (Palorchestes azael) went extinct 40,000 years ago. Fortunately, the marsupial tapir has left a sign of its presence on Earth. Experts found the first Palorchestes fossil in 1988 during an excavation at Horseshoe Bend in Australia.
Despite its nickname “the marsupial tapir”, the name is incorrect. In fact, Palorchestes is not a tapir. However, it is a giant herbivore with an appearance that resembles a tapir.
Palorchestes are animals with small eyes relative to the overall size of the body, and this makes it appear more like a pig. Experts believe that Palorchestes used the claws from his forelegs to strip leaves and bark.
Researchers have found the fossil remains of this large marsupial in eastern Australia. In addition, the Palorchestes are the largest of the marsupial tapirs. Experts have found fossils of this species along with fossils of Diprotodon suggesting that they lived in the same period.
3. Zygmaturus trilobus
Zygmaturus trilobus is a diprotodontid marsupial that lived 15 million to 15,000 years ago in Tasmania during the Late Tertiary and Quaternary periods. This large marsupial weighs up to 530 kg, is 1.5 meters high and 2.5 meters long. Also known as the swamp cow, it is in fact a close relative of the marsupial bear.
Scientists discovered the first Zygmaturus fossil in 1857 in an area around a lake bed in Tasmania. They believe the giant herbivores lived semi-aquatic, like modern hippos, because many of their finds were in swamps and around lake beds.
These researchers also believe that Zygmaturus lived in small colonies in Tasmania, preferring aquatic plants like today’s pygmy hippos. Furthermore, analysis of the skull suggests that Zygomaturus may have had short horns on the face similar to that of a rhinoceros.
4. Giant short-faced kangaroo
During the Pleistocene, the giant Procoptodon roamed the hills and dunes of southern Australia and New South Wales. This ancient type of kangaroo weighed from 200 to 240 kg, could reach nearly 3 m tall and had jaws many times stronger than today’s kangaroos.
This animal had a short face, a square skull, and was a monohedron (modern mice have three toes). A new study shows that the jaw muscles of giant rats have unusual strength, allowing them to chew and eat hard foods. When other food sources became scarce, the ancient kangaroos were able to chew and consume hard foods such as stems and branches etc.
5. Thylacoleo – Lion with a giant pouch
Thylacoleo carnifex or marsupial lion is the largest carnivorous marsupial from existence on our planet. Experts have found fossils of this species all over Australia and other famous locations. However, the first fossils of this strange predator were discovered in the 1850s in the Victoria region of Australia.
Fossils of marsupial lions show that they grew to 1.5 meters in length and at least 80 centimeters in height. Scientists believe that Thylacoleo weighed between 100 and 160 kg, about the same size as a modern lioness. They have large forelimbs and can be adept climbers, although it is unlikely they can run as fast.
This giant carnivore has strong jaws and huge teeth. The formation of these teeth shows that they can cut through the flesh of their prey with ease. In addition, the lower leg of this species has a large, semi-opposite big toe. Scientists believe they used this big toe to peck at their prey or pull it closer to their side.
Thylacoleo are mainly carnivores but it is possible that they also eat certain plants. Paleontologists believe that the Thylacoleo mainly used ambush hunting because the proportions of its limbs suggest it could run, but not at great speed. However, other theories suggest that they could also be scavengers or opportunistic foragers.
Source: Animalia; Unbelievable, ZME