How the Tasmanian tiger outfoxed its prey
The Tasmanian tiger hunted more like a fox than its fearsome namesake, according to a new UniSC biomechanics study of predatory animals across the globe. The University of the Sunshine Coast-led research, published in BMC Ecology and Evolution, featured the thylacine in a comparison of 48 living and extinct predatory mammal species, from domestic dogs to African wildcats.
A recent study by University of the Sunshine Coast researchers has revealed that the Tasmanian tiger, or thylacine, hunted more like an opportunistic pouncer than a powerful grappler, much like foxes and coyotes. The thylacine, a striped marsupial with a pouch, once preyed on wallabies, possums, and rodents, but became extinct in Tasmania by the 1930s.
Associate Professor Christofer Clemente led the research, which compared the hunting strategies of 48 living and extinct predatory mammal species using biomechanical analysis and archival footage. The team discovered that the thylacine's gait was most similar to that of opportunistic pouncers, utilizing short bursts of movement to capture prey. This finding contrasts with the thylacine's fearsome reputation as a grappler like tigers and wolves.
The study's innovative approach tracked animal movement in 4D, examining the timing and posture of forelimbs, hind limbs, spine, and head throughout natural locomotion. This method allowed researchers to compare gait patterns across species, revealing that hunting ecology was reflected in the way predators moved, particularly during high-performance gaits associated with acceleration and prey capture.
The researchers' findings suggest that understanding the locomotor strategies of extinct animals can inform conservation efforts for endangered species.
Written by urgent.news from Phys.org's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
