Blonde By Nature

The Tasmanian Tiger (aka. Thylacine) dates back to over 1000BC in Tasmania in Western Australia but last known one died in 1936 in a zoo. This creature has had only a few sightings throughout the years and was officially recognized as a species in 1808 when the Governor of Tasmania sent a report of the animal to be publicized by the Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser.

The tiger weighed roughly 65lbs, was 39–71 inches in length and its coat was a dirty yellow colour, beige underbelly, with black strips but they faded with age. It was named for it’s tiger strips than it’s actual connection to the tiger, but is said to have similar claws. The beastly-cat was often compared in stature to a hyena, but had a similar tail to a kangaroo, the tracking skills of a dog and looks of an opossum – depends on who you ask. In other words, no one really knew how to describe it but tried anyways.

A few other details:

• Flat: Shacks up in small hollows or caves.
• Mobility: Very stiff-looking making it unable to achieve high speeds, but strange enough, it could be seen hopping on it’s 2 back likes like a kangaroo.
• Speech: Growled or hissed when threatened and produced other guttural sounds to communicate to each other.
• Shaggin’/Kinfolk: Bred all year round and had pouches where they carried their 2-3 offspring for the first 3 months. Unfortunately, Mom and Pop only lived 5-7 years.
• Grubb: 100% carnivore. Recent evidence suggests they were lone hunters and had a difficult time holding their kill in their mouth when there was struggling. However, once locked in, their jaws were extremely powerful.

Why are they history? Endangered when the European settlers arrived (caused by competition versus the dingo, climate change and shift in indigenous land use), but then hunted for bounty to safeguard farm animals of the settlers. Therefore, humans took them to the finish line.

Reincarnation: Dr. Don Colgan of University of South Wales currently mapping the DNA. Conversely, it is believed that they might have existed longer than predicted. Beyond that, there are groups that report on recent sightings just last month!

Coolness factor: It can open its jaw up to 120 degrees!

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