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~ The Diprotodon optatum is one of the most well known mammals that existed during the mega-fauna.
~ It was the first mammal fossil found in Australia by Richard Owen in the year 1838.
~ Unlike the wombat however the Diprotodon Optatum was a very large animal that did not have to live in burrows underground for safety.
~ Although the Diprotodon optatum may have been extinct for around 25,000 years ago, the fossils that have been found, are able to prove some theories that scientists have made about these animals. For example, one rib that was found in central NSW, had shown a small square hole, cut through the middle of it, to which had caused scientists to come to a conclusion that the hole was made from a spear that had been shot through the animal while it's "bones were still fresh". This became a source of evidence for the theory that the Diprotodon optatum was in fact hunted down to extinction.
~As well as evolving pouches, the diprototodon Optatum, the wombats, and their close cousins, such as the kangaroo have also developed skeletal features such as "two long forward-projecting lower incisors" and "four square-shaped upper incisors", to which they use for chewing, crushed up plants and other types vegetation
within there diets.
~Due to the fact that wombats and the Diprotodon Optatum are close relatives it is not unusual for them to carry out similar features and characteristics. For example, with the fossils found, scientists are able to detect pouches at the back, in which they carry their young in, just like wombats. Although they both do have similar features, this does not make them relatives as it is how and why they have it that determines their relationship. Scientists have stated that the purpose of the pouch, in which both the wombat and the Diprotodon Optatum have, are in fact a type of adaptation, meaning that both these marsupials were forced to evolve and adapt into a new environment. The pouches were evolved to prevent dirt from entering the pouch, where it could have possibly effected the young, whilst the mother digs further into the burrow for safety.
~Wombats are usually described as short, chubby and somewhat similar to bears.
~ They are a type of marsupial and are known as one of the
world's largest burrowing,
herbivore mammals.
~ Like the kangaroo
and the koalas, wombats also have
pouches in which they carry their
young until they are able to fend
for themselves.
~ Although the Diprotodon Optatum has gone extinct, its close relatives are still wondering the earth today. The common wombat, is in fact the closet relative to the Diprotodon Optatum, that is still alive today. However, the koala bears are also known as a relative to these mega-fauna animals.
~ Throughout the years there have been many theories on how the Diprototon Optatum had become extinct. Whether or not, if they had been hunted down by humans or if it was due to climate change. Although it is evident that both theories could have been true, the answers are still left unclear.