The Tasmanian Tiger, also called the "Tasmanian Wolf" or "Thylacinus cyanocephaplus" ("dog-headed pouched-dog") had a very fearsome presence, although its temperament was actually more nervous than aggressive. Because this marsupial carefully avoided humans, and even in its most prosperous years was rarely sighted, it is regarded as almost a fabled creature. Currently, the Tasmanian tiger is believed to be extinct.

The Tasmanian Tiger was a nocturnal hunter, preferring the fresh meat of its prey, which included wallabies, kangaroos and other small animals. It usually hunted alone, dominating its prey with persistence rather than speed in a large homeland area that consisted of at least 40 sq. km. The Tasmanian tiger was generally a quiet animal but barked when excited and made a terrier-like yapping sound while hunting.

Typically, the Tasmanian tiger is about six feet long from head to tail and has a 20-inch tail. From the shoulders, it is about two feet tall, and weighs about 30 kg. It is extremely similar to a large dog in body shape, except that the tail is very thin and straight like that of a kangaroo. The Tasmanian tiger has a short coat that ranges in color from fawn to dark brown, and has a cream colored belly. About 13 to 20 dark stripes run down his back to his tail. These stripes were there to help camouflage the tiger against the sun streaked forest. Amazingly, both female and male had a pouch (the male's pouch protected his testicles). They have incredibly wide jaws, which allows them to efficiently kill their prey in one powerful bite on the neck.

Presently, there has not been a confirmed sighting of a Tasmanian tiger in the wild since 1932. However, due to several unconfirmed sightings, officials are reluctant to classify this animal as extinct. Although the tiger most likely once inhabited mainland Australia and New Guinea, for the last 3000 years, it called the scrubland and eucalyptus forests of Tasmania its only home. Several factors have contributed to this animal's possible extinction. First of all, the arrival of the Dingo caused great distress to the tiger because they hunted on the same prey. Furthermore, farmers and government-sponsored bounty hunters killed these animals because the Tiger notoriously fed on sheep. It has been reported that the Dingo was actually to blame for killing many of the sheep, but this was not discovered until most of the Thylacine species had been obliterated. Also, along with the influx of settlers, much of the natural habitat of the tiger was destroyed. Protection under the law came in 1936; however, the Tasmanian tiger was already almost extinct by that time. This is especially tragic for Tasmania because if the tiger is confirmed extinct, it will be the first species they have lost since European settlement.

There is currently no special care information in our databases for this animal. To submit care information that is specific to this animal please click here.

Thylacines were believed to breed throughout the year. A typical litter numbered three, although the mother had the capacity to care for four since she had four teats. The young lived in their mother's backward facing pouch. As the young grew, the mother's pouch enlarged to accommodate their size. After about six to eight months, the young became too big to live in the pouch. Around this time they were left alone to begin their solitary lives.