The Ancients Ice Age Australia
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Feb 9, 2025 Join paleontologist Larissa DeSantis from Vanderbilt University as she unravels the mysteries of Ice Age Australia, home to colossal creatures like giant kangaroos and killer wombats. The discussion delves into the environmental challenges these megafauna faced, including climate change and the arrival of humans. Explore the dietary habits and adaptations of these ancient animals, and learn about the critical factors leading to their extinction. Larissa's insights paint a vivid picture of a lost world and urge a deeper understanding of conservation today.
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Ice Age Australia
- Ice Age effects were global, impacting Australia significantly.
- Lower sea levels connected landmasses, creating Sahul, from Papua New Guinea to Tasmania.
Megafauna Variety
- Ice Age Australia had rhino-sized wombat-like diprotodons and giant kangaroos taller than humans.
- Giant goannas the size of saltwater crocodiles and massive flightless birds also roamed.
Killer Wombat
- The marsupial lion, nicknamed "killer wombat," was a large carnivorous marsupial.
- It evolved from herbivores and likely ambushed prey from trees.