Thylacine

The thylacine (*Thylacinus cynocephalus*), also called the Tasmanian tiger or Tasmanian wolf, was a large carnivorous marsupial native to Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania.

The thylacine (*Thylacinus cynocephalus*), also called the Tasmanian tiger or Tasmanian wolf, was a large carnivorous marsupial native to Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania. It is now generally regarded as extinct; the last known individual died in captivity in 1936. It was the only modern survivor of the family Thylacinidae.

Taxonomy and naming

The thylacine’s scientific name is *Thylacinus cynocephalus*. Its name is often translated as “dog-headed pouched one,” reflecting its appearance and marsupial biology.

Description

Thylacines were slender, dog-like marsupials with a stiff tail and distinctive dark stripes on the back. They were the largest known carnivorous marsupials of recent times.

Distribution and habitat

Fossil and historical evidence indicates that thylacines once lived across Australia and New Guinea, with the last surviving populations confined to Tasmania after mainland extinction thousands of years ago.

Extinction

The last confirmed thylacine died in captivity in 1936. Sources differ on the year it was officially declared extinct, with some citing 1982, 1986, or the mid-1980s, reflecting changes in formal recognition rather than survival evidence.

Cultural significance

The thylacine remains a major symbol of Australian extinction and conservation discussions. It also continues to attract public interest because of occasional unverified sightings and speculative de-extinction efforts.