The+Diprotodon

link to the KoalaThe //Diprotodon optatum//

 * ~ [|Scientific classification] ||
 * Kingdom: || [|Animalia] ||
 * Phylum: || [|Chordata] ||
 * Class: || [|Mammalia] ||
 * Infraclass: || [|Marsupialia] ||
 * Order: || [|Diprotodontia] ||
 * Suborder: || [|Vombatiformes] ||
 * Family: || [|†][|Diprotodontidae] ||
 * Genus: || [|†]//Diprotodon// ||

Habitat
== The preferred habitat of the Diprotodon was the semi-arid, savannah and woodland areas of Australia. These areas were normally had enough grass for the ancient marsupial to eat but did not contain the high level of heat and dryness of the central Australian outback. This type of environment allowed the staying close to the water, grass and tree leaves which it needed to survive. Its large size (3 meters wide and at least 2 meters tall) prevented the animal from residing in the dense woodland of Australia as it would be difficult to move around and protect it in such close areas compared to the open savannah plains of Australia. ==

Aspects of the Australian environment
== -a major aspect of the Australian environment is the level of heat and the different climate types of each separate area (rainforest in Queensland and deserts in Alice Springs) this led to the creation of large forest and savannah like ecosystems where the Diprotodon resided in. == == -the size of Australia is huge being the own country that is considered an island and a continent this meant that most animals had to travel over large distances to find food and water (especially in the drier desert areas) == == -water in Australia is hard to find being the second driest continent in the world. Many areas of Australia suffer from drought and the areas with a regular source of water are around the Murray - darling basin which is in the states of victoria, south Australia and new south wales. media type="youtube" key="9OHjMIsfIzg" height="349" width="425" ==

Adaption 1: size and structure
== The Diprotodon was the largest marsupial that ever lived with the average size being similar to the modern day hippo and rhino. This incredibly large size allowed the animal to protect itself from and deter potential predators. Similar to the koala the Diprotodon relied on only one type of food the salt bush this food substance like the eucalyptus leaves had very little nutrition. This required the Diprotodon to eat large amounts of the substance to move (the Diprotodon moved very slowly) this aspect of the diet may have led to its extinction due to its low nutrition (making it slow and easy prey for predators and hunters) or the sole reliance on a single main food group (which may have been destroyed or changed due to climate change). To make up for the slow movement of the Diprotodon the structure and size made it a strong animal and more than capable to defend itself if the time came. Even though the Diprotodon had a large size it was not a hostile or violent animal and attacked only if it was attacked. ==

[[image:paper-background.jpg width="359" height="239" caption="picutre from en.wikipedia.org"]]
The Diprotodon tough skin is the major defense of the Diprotodon able to withstand most minor cuts (from walking though bushes or harsh areas), protect itself from the claws and teeth of predators. Due to this strong skin the organs of the Diprotodon were very highly protected from the external damage of its environment. The buildup of this strong skin came from the muscle (from the diprotodons exercise) which makes it even harder. This adaption was so important to the Diprotodon due to its chosen environment which was harsh and dangerous with areas where there was a high chance if getting cut easily. The koala has seemed to lose this adaption with soft fur rather than skin. This adaption most likely changed due to change in the environment with koalas living in trees most of the time away from predators making the skin a pointless adaption to the koala.
 * Diprotodon adaption 2 **

The Diprotodon unlike many other mammals and marsupials did not hibernate in winter this was due to its large size which would require it to gather large amounts of food to sustain itself during the period. Other reasons which made hibernation unnecessary were Australia’s climate which was most of the time warm and in winter was not cold enough for hibernation to be necessary for survival. The koala like the Diprotodon does not hibernate in a sense but still requires very long periods of sleep per day (around 18 hours a day) to make up for its low nutrition. The change in these adaptions (the Diprotodon sleeping patterns compared to the koalas) comes from the diet and lifestyle of each animal while the Diprotodon had to move around a lot to find food the koala was able to live in trees where its major food source was close by and movement unnecessary.
 * Adaption 3 **

Similar to the koala the Diprotodon had very strong hands and claws for griping and climbing trees. This adaption would have helped the Diprotodon survive due to its need walk (while carrying its massive weight) and gather food. The stronger hands allowed the Diprotodon a much stronger grip on the surface which it was walking on. When hunting for food their hands were easily able to grip the roots and plants which they found and pull them out of the ground for them to eat. The hands and claws of the Diprotodon are similar to the koala’s hands and claws which are required to grip trees and pull leaves off the branches for food. Another benefit to having such strong hands is to defend itself against predators where their hands were able to push back or fight a predator. A major cause for this adaption would be due to the Diprotodon environment and the large size and weight which the hands needed to carry.
 * Adaption 4 **

Similar to the koala’s adaption to maintain its temperature the Diprotodon had its own way to maintain its temperature while it slept and at the same time put itself into a position which allowed the Diprotodon to quickly defend itself if a predator was to close. The Diprotodon curled its back legs in a position which allowed it stay warm during the night and if a predator came near the Diprotodon was able to quickly and easily stand up and defend itself or run away from the predator. This position also allowed the Diprotodon to keep its offspring warm by curling its body around the pouch where the young Diprotodon was resting. Compared to the koalas way to maintain temperature the Diprotodon only used it to keep warm rather than the koala having to position itself to keep cool as well. This adaption was useful to the Diprotodon in the winter months in which the furless skin of the Diprotodon had no protection against.
 * Adaption 5 **

some of the reasons that the diprotodon went extinct are from hunting the animal by indigenous people for food and out of fear (the diprotodon is believed to be the bunyip) other reason include the change in climate and temperature which caused there major food source to run out.
 * reasons for extinction**


 * Bibliography**
 * 1.**
 * designer animals (2010) the diprotodon chole lam retrieved 17th june 2011**
 * 2.**
 * Danielle Clode (2009) Prehistoric giants: the megafauna of Australia. Museum Victoria retrieved 19th June 2011**
 * 3.**
 * animal a day (10 may 2011) the diprotodon retrived june 19th 2011 from**
 * http://animaladay.blogspot.com/2011/05/diprotodon.html**