#572 The Problem Possum

 Fact# 572

The Problem Possum

When it comes to marsupials in Australia,  most people think of Koalas, Wombats, or Kangaroos, and sometimes they may even ponder over Possums. However, few people think of “The great Koala” with fear, and yet they might if they knew of the old Megafauna that once ruled the Bush. Chief among these predators was one related to modern possums called:  Thylacoleo Carnifex “The Marsupial Lion”.

Able to grow to the size of modern lions, these “Pouch Lions” (colloquial term for their genus) had the strongest recorded bite force among Mammals alive or dead, with a long self-sharpening carnassial tooth on either side of its mouth making it easier to carve up larger prthe prey. Their arms too were weapons as they were highly mobile and strong, each ending in a highly specialized paw possessing each containing a deadly retractable claw,  and semi-opposable thumbs. 

Yet worst of all is the theory based on their  bone structure that they may have been able to mimic voices and noises. Yet Mimicry or no, they hunted by jumping on unwary passengers near a tree before jumping upon the traveler and devouring them. 

Thankfully they are extinct now, but why? THe answer –although it may surprise you–. For you see while people came to the continent before Thylaceo, but they did not kill it off directly. Instead, as the Bush dried up, the animals they preyed upon also died forcing the creature to focus on smaller less nutritious meals. Yet their mouth was is ill suited for catching small creatures, forcing them to stave to extinction –at least according to the Dreamtime tales.