Giant Wombat (Phascolonus Gigas)
Free from, Australian History
| Giant Wombat Temporal Range: Pleistocene | |
 | |
| Illustration of Phascolonus gigas | |
| Classification | |
| Genus | Phascolonus |
| Species | Phascolonus gigas |
| Fossil record | |
| Fossil range | Pleistocene |
Phascolonus gigas was significantly larger than today's wombats, measuring approximately 1.70 meters in length and weighing up to 200 kilograms. Its sturdy build and strong digging claws made it a formidable creature capable of surviving in a variety of environments.
Description
Unlike modern wombats, which often live in complex warrens, Phascolonus gigas likely utilized simpler dens or natural features such as fallen trees or hollow logs. It was primarily a grazer, feeding on grasses and other vegetation, similar to contemporary wombats. The species' large size would have made it well-adapted to open grasslands and other Pleistocene habitats.
Modern wombats live in burrow systems with narrow entrances; however, the Giant Wombat's size suggests that it might not have used similar complex burrows.
Discovery
The species was first described by Richard Owen in 1862 from fossil remains held at the British Museum. More complete remains were later discovered at Lake Callabonna by Australian paleontologists, including Edward Stirling.
Extinct Relatives
In addition to Phascolonus gigas, other extinct wombat species from the Pleistocene include:
• Ramsayia magna
• Phascolomys medius
Living Comparisons
Modern wombats, such as the Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus), are much smaller, with an average weight of 26 kilograms and a length of 0.98 meters. These comparisons highlight the significant size difference between extinct and living species.
Fossil Distribution
Fossils of Phascolonus gigas have been found primarily in southeastern Australia, with notable discoveries in South Australia and western Victoria. The map below shows the known fossil sites.[1]
References
- Prehistoric Giants: The Megafauna of Australia, By Danielle Clode, 2009, P.52-53
