Researchers found the bones of these extinct species in various parts of Australia. The marsupial lion skull is quite small, with the presence of postorbital bar seen in other primates.
They used to possess sharp serrated incisors that resembled canines.
The structure of their hind feet bones provides evidence that these animals were not agile runners and used to hunt their prey with more of a trotting movement.
Further, the paleontologic shreds of evidence obtained from their hind feet show that these animal species were good at climbing trees.
Their small skull size had a wide jaw that contained sharp teeth, which were capable of inflicting a powerful bite on their prey.
Researchers also found evidence of retractable claws encased in a sheath in this predator. The tail bones suggest that the tail of these mammals was a powerful body part.
The tail helped them to climb trees. The marsupial lions also used their tail along with their limbs to balance their body and ward off their predators.
The evidence collected from their fossil suggests that these animals were slow runners and instead used a trotting motion to chase animals.
Their fossil of tail bones also suggests that they were great climbers.
The marsupial lion fossil suggests that they were carnivorous animals and preyed on a variety of animals. These animals are also considered scavengers as they ate the flesh of carrion.
The extinct marsupial lions used to inhabit the forests of Australia, and the paleontological evidence also suggests that they used to inhabit dry open forest regions which were in close proximity to the waterbodies.
Although not much evidence is found on the reproductive behavior of these lions belonging to the Thylacoleo genus, it can be derived that they exhibited the characteristic features of other marsupial animals.
Sexual dimorphism was seen in these animals. Just like other mammals, they directly give birth to their babies.
The babies are delivered at their embryonic stage, and later, they develop inside the pouch of their female parents.
The placenta of the females is yolk sacs, which provide the nutrients required for the growth ad development of the baby inside. Their gestation period lasts only about six to seven weeks.
Within their pouch, the developing embryo is nourished with milk. After reaching the juvenile stage, the babies tend to leave the pouch for a short while and return to seek warmth.
The marsupial lion (Thylacoleo carnifex) is listed as an Extinct species by the IUCN belonging to the Thylacoleo genus. This ambush predator lived approximately 1,600,000-46,000 years ago.
Human activities are considered to be the main cause of their extinction.
Ancient humans were thought to hunt down these animals for their flesh. Habitat loss and changing climate also contributed to their extinction.
Are they dangerous?These animals were dangerous predators and used to terrorize entire ancient Australia with their savage hunting skills.
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Ref: nationalgeographic, sci-news, thoughtco, kidadl, news.cgtn, expressions.imustudyPic: smithsonianmag, news.cgtn, expressions.imustudy, sci-news, bbc, flickr, pinterest, adelaidenow
