Researcher Uncover the Largest Species of Prehistoric Kangaroo Ever Discovered

The discovery of complete skeletons from an ancient species of giant kangaroo has led researchers to uncover three unusual new species, with one weighing twice as much as a modern-day male red kangaroo.

A study by palaeontologists from Flinders University examined the extinct Protemnodon species, noting their distinctive ways of hopping compared to today’s kangaroos.

Protemnodon, an extinct genus of marsupials from the Pleistocene epoch, is part of the diprotodontids group, which includes giant kangaroos and wallabies.

Fossils of Protemnodon, found mainly intact in Lake Callabonna in South Australia, formed the basis of research conducted by Flinders University palaeontologist Isaac Kerr.

According to the Flinders report, the Viator kangaroo, meaning “traveller” in Latin, was long-limbed and could hop quickly and efficiently.

Protemnodon species were large herbivores, some comparable in size to modern-day rhinoceroses.

These marsupials were adapted to various environments, from forests to grasslands, with remains found across Australia.

One well-known Protemnodon species, “Protemnodon anak,” the giant wallaby, was estimated to weigh up to 130kg.

Extinction of Protemnodon and other giant Australian marsupials may have been due to factors like climate change, human activities, and habitat destruction.

Further research discovered two other species—Protemnodon mamkurra and Protemnodon dawsonae.

Investigation revealed that only a few species of Protemnodon moved like modern kangaroos, with some possibly hopping on two legs at times.

Mr. Kerr highlighted the diversity of habitats in which different Protemnodon species thrived, ranging from arid Australia to forested areas in Tasmania and New Guinea.