Tag Archives: Australia

Ex Profundis

Posted on November 4, 2019 by twilightbeasts

“Tis the part of a wise man to keep himself today for tomorrow, and not venture all his eggs in one basket.” Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote The most perfect thing in nature, arguably, is the egg. A living capsule: … Continue reading →

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You only live twice

Posted on December 7, 2018 by twilightbeasts

Australia is a continent full of weird wonders. From kangaroos to koalas, the animals here are unlike anywhere else on the planet. Australia is a landmass that has drifted slowly northwards, alone, across the empty Indian Ocean for over 30 … Continue reading →

Posted in Diprotodon, Giant Short-Faced Kangaroo, Marsupial Tapir, Zygomaturus | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Squishy Bear Face

Posted on October 12, 2016 by twilightbeasts

“No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory … Continue reading →

Posted in Zygomaturus | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Turtle Power

Posted on October 6, 2016 by twilightbeasts

In the canonical tale, Big Chuck D’s visit to the Galapagos was a “Eureka!” moment, where he instantly worked out his theory of evolution by natural selection after observing the different species of finches on the archipelago’s varying islands. Almost … Continue reading →

Posted in Meiolania | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A striped wonder

Posted on August 26, 2015 by twilightbeasts

If you haven’t already, take a few minutes to watch this YouTube video. Think about what you are watching. The animal in the grainy film is extinct. When the last member of its species died out, a significant branch of … Continue reading →

Posted in Thylacine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

The pouched lion

Posted on October 10, 2014 by twilightbeasts

Australia is a land stripped of megafauna. The largest surviving kangaroo is a dwarf compared to the elephants, giraffes, rhinos, and hippos of Africa. Similarly, the largest living carnivorous marsupial, the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harisii), is a stunted furball when … Continue reading →

Posted in Marsupial Lion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The dragon down under

Posted on October 8, 2014 by twilightbeasts

Not so long ago an enormous lizard dragged it claws through the dried, dead leaves deep in the Australian woodlands. Longer than a black cab, this was the largest lizard (so far discovered) ever to walk on land. Its teeth were around … Continue reading →

Posted in Megalania | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

An adorable goofy looking giant

Posted on October 6, 2014 by twilightbeasts

There’s a legend in Australia of a shadowy creature called the bunyip which lurks at watering holes, swamps: places which are just a little removed from everyday life. It’s described as having dark smooth fur, tusks or large prominent teeth, … Continue reading →

Posted in Diprotodon | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

A prickly giant with a very long tongue

Posted on June 23, 2014 by twilightbeasts

Australia’s native fauna are undeniably odd and none more so than the curious monotremes (the Monotremata). These egg-laying, milk-producing, furry creatures are mammals, but with organs and body parts that may be more at home in birds or reptiles including … Continue reading →

Posted in Giant Echidna | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments