Giant Koala
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| Giant Koala Fossil range: Pleistocene |
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| Phascolarctos stirtoni |
The Giant Koala (Phascolarctos stirtoni) was an arboreal marsupial which existed in Australia during the Pleistocene epoch. Phascolarctos stirtoni was about one third larger than the contemporary Koala,[1] and has had an estimated weight of 13 kg (which is the same weight as a large contemporary male Koala).[2] Although considered a part of the Australian megafauna, its body mass excludes it from most formal definitions of Megafauna. It is best described as a more robust koala, rather than a "giant"; whereas a number of Australian megafauna, such as Diprotodon and Procoptodon goliah, were unambiguously giants.
The two koala species co-existed during the Pleistocene, occupying the same arboreal niche.[1] The reason for the extinction of the larger of the two about 50,000 years ago is unknown.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Parks South Australia: Naracoorte Caves website. Retrieved on 2007-10-27.
- ^ Prideaux, Gavin J. (2007). "Mammalian responses to Pleistocene climate change in southeastern Australia". Geology 35: 33. doi:.
[edit] External links
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