Thylacoleo sp.

Learn more about Thylacoleo

• Thylacoleo is often referred to as the marsupial ‘lion’ and is related to koalas and wombats.
• Lived 4 million — 40,000 years ago.
• Large pointed incisors adapted to piercing flesh.
• Large cutting premolars adapted to cutting flesh and cracking bone.
• Meat eater, both predator and scavenger.
• Controversially thought to be a frugivore, feeding on fruits.
• Found throughout Australia.

There are three known species of Thylacoleo:

• Thylacoleo crassidentatus (4 — 3.5 million years ago)
• Thylacoleo hilli (3 million — 280,000 years ago)
• Thylacoleo carnifex (1 million — 40,000 years ago).