Tasmanian Tiger Hunted Like Fox
New study analyzing 48 species reveals the extinct marsupial's surprising opportunistic pouncing style.
The Tasmanian tiger, also known as the thylacine, hunted more like a fox than its namesake, according to a new study by the University of the Sunshine Coast. The research, which compared 48 living and extinct predatory mammal species, found that the Tasmanian tiger was an opportunistic pouncer, similar to a fox, jackal, or coyote.
The study, led by UniSC Associate Professor Christofer Clemente and UniSC Ph.D. graduate Joshua Gaschk, used archival footage and modern biomechanical analysis to examine the hunting styles of the animals. The researchers grouped the animals into five clusters, ranging from social pursuit hunters to predators that grappled with or pounced on their prey.
The Tasmanian tiger, a meat-eating marsupial that preyed on animals such as wallabies, possums, and rodents, became globally extinct in Tasmania in the 1930s. The study's findings challenge traditional views of the Tasmanian tiger's hunting behavior, which was previously thought to be more similar to that of a tiger or wolf.
## What the study means The research provides new insights into the behavior of the Tasmanian tiger and other predatory mammals. By analyzing the hunting styles of 48 species, the study sheds light on the evolution of predator behavior and the adaptations that have enabled certain species to thrive. The study's results were published in BMC Ecology and Evolution.
The study's approach, which used 4D analysis to track animal movement in space and time, allowed researchers to compare gaits across species and gain a deeper understanding of predator behavior. The research was conducted in collaboration with co-authors from UniSC, Yale University, and the University of Tasmania.
## Why it matters The study's findings have significant implications for our understanding of the natural world and the behavior of predatory mammals. By studying the hunting styles of extinct species like the Tasmanian tiger, researchers can gain insights into the evolution of predator behavior and the adaptations that have enabled certain species to thrive. The study's results can also inform conservation efforts and help us better understand the complex relationships between predators and their prey.
