THYLACOSMILUS (“POUCHED KNIFE” (Marsupial Cat): Hidden Biases

An example of convergent evolution, Thylacosmilus of South America resembled Smilodon (Saber-toothed Cat) of North America.  The size of a modern Jaguar, He had a stout muscular body to stalk his prey.  Living during the Miocene epoch (eight million years ago (mya) to two mya), this marsupial carnivore was the top predator of South America until the coming of Smilodon.

            The most notable feature of Thylacosmilus was his two upper canines which looked like sabers.  Unlike Saber-toothed Cat, his teeth were firmly set in his jaw.  Growing continuously throughout his life, these special teeth wore down through use.  However Thylacosmilus had extensions of his lower jaw which protected these teeth much like scabbards protect swords.

            Thylacosmilus often preyed on animals larger than Himself.  Since He had heavily muscled shoulders and neck, Thylacosmilus would often pounce on his prey.  Then by holding his victim down, He would kill Them by stabbing downwards with his teeth.

            Although He resembled a Cat, Thylacosmilus was not one.  Moreover, He was not the marsupial equivalent of the placental Saber-toothed Cats.  Instead, Thylacosmilus was a member of the Sparassodonts, an ancient family of marsupial predators.

            When the two continents of the New World connected, the Great American Faunal Interchange occurred.  Smilodon went south to invade Thylacosmilus’ territory.  Because He was too specialized in his hunting, Thylacosmilus went extinct.  The more flexible Smilodon completely took over his territory.

            Thylacosmilus highlights our hidden biases.  We assume that because He looked like a Saber-toothed Cat, that Thylacosmilus was one.  Also because He was a close relative of the Marsupials, we assumed that He was doomed.  What we may not understand that during the Interchange, many unique Mammals of both continents went extinct.  Moreover the Opossum Family (Didelphis) who are Marsupials expanded their range from South America to North America, and is still successful today.

            We all have biases that we may not be aware of.  Through his aggressive manner, Thylacosmilus forces us to face them.  He is nothing what we thought He was.  By respecting Him, we can discover what an amazing world lies beyond our perceptions. Let Thylacosmilus challenge your beliefs.

Eastern Grey Kangaroo: Effective Communication

EASTERN GREY KANGAROO: Effective Communication

More abundant than Her Close Relative, Red Kangaroo, Eastern Grey Kangaroo lives in the forests of Australia. Unlike other Kangaroos, She breeds only in the spring and early summer, instead of breeding continuously. However, this has not affected her numbers and, in fact She is a nuisance in some areas.

Often seen with Magpie Lark and Willie Wagtail in her ears or on her back, Eastern Grey Kangaroo rests in the heat of the day. As the Birds pick out Parasites and Insects off of her, She grazes in the cool of the early morning. Eating as She walks on all fours, Eastern Grey Kangaroo uses her large tail for support.

Socially inclined, Eastern Grey Kangaroo holds conversations with her Friends by clucking. Talking with her Joey (Baby), She squeals and clucks. However, when She is alarmed at something, Eastern Grey Kangaroo stamps her feet, and coughs loudly.

Lulu, an Eastern Grey Kangaroo, saved a farmer’s life. Knocked unconscious by a falling tree limb, Mr. Richards lay dying. Lulu tipped him on his side to keep him from choking. Then She hopped to the family’s home. Banging on the door and barking, Lulu alerted the family. Because of Her quick action, Lulu was awarded the National Animal Valor Award.

Eastern Grey Kangaroo demonstrates effective communications. She tells her Mob of impending danger by stomping her feet, and calls to her Joey by coughing. Lulu banged on her friend’s family door to save him. Communication is more than words, it is also actions.

Teachings of the Eastern Grey Kangaroo Include:“So long as the Grey Kangaroo was there, the people knew they would never know hunger or suffering. Its mere existence promised true abundance.” Copyright: “Animal Dreaming”, Scott Alexander King.

Wisdom of the Eastern Grey Kangaroo Includes:
At Peace with One’s Self
Making a Place of Calmness
Ensuring Abundance

Science Note:
1. Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus) is a different species of Kangaroo from Eastern Grey (Macropus giganteus). They are not regional variations of the same species.

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Copyright: Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers, 2008

From Universal Class, fun self-paced classes taught by me:

Finding Your Animal Teachers

Lessons of the Kangaroo Family: Be Fearless (2 of 2)

The Aboriginal Peoples of Australia named Kangaroos by color, size, sex, and habits. The English word “Kangaroo” is the corrupted form of the Guugu Yimidhirr word “gangurru” for Eastern Grey Kangaroo. Meanwhile, “Pademelon“, the name for a small shy kangaroo living in the wet forests, came from the Dharuk word “badimaliyan”. Important to these peoples, Kangaroos feature widely in their sacred art, and are totems for some of their Tribes.

Among Australians, Kangaroos are both treasured and despised. One of the living symbols of Australia, Red Kangaroo is on the Australian Coat of Arms. Meanwhile, an Eastern Grey Kangaroo was awarded the RSPCA National Animal Valor Award for saving a farmer’s life.

However, many ranchers regard Kangaroos as pests because They eat scare resources meant for Cattle and Sheep. Many roads have Kangaroo-crossing signs to warn motorists. In addition, many cars have ‘roo bars’ to minimize any damage caused by a collision.

Not afraid of danger, Members of the Kangaroo Family hop everywhere over the Australian countryside. Tree-kangaroos leap across the rainforest canopies, while Rock-wallabies ascend up rock faces. Be fearless as Kangaroos are, but watch where you leap or you may get hit by an on-coming car.

Wisdom of the Kangaroo Family:
Leaping Over Obstacles
Let Your Instincts to Guide You
How to Conserve Energy

Kangaroo Family: Macropodidae
Subfamily: Sthenurinae Banded Hare-wallaby
Subfamily: Macropodinae
Dorcopsis
Dorcopsulus
Hare-wallaby
Wallaby and Kangaroo
Nail-tail Wallaby
Rock-wallaby
Quokka
Pademelon
Swamp Wallaby

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Copyright: Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers, 2008

From Universal Class, fun self-paced classes taught by me:

Finding Your Animal Teachers

Animals For Everyone: Mammals

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Lessons from the Kangaroo Family: Be Fearless (1 of 2)

KANGAROO FAMILY: Be Fearless

When people think “Kangaroo”, they often imagine a large deer-like Mammal hopping around like a Frog on two legs. Of course, the Kangaroo must have a large pouch with a Joey (Baby) sticking out. Rounding out this picture would be two Kangaroos off boxing each other.

Also, in the popular imagination, Kangaroos live only in Australia. On the contrary, They also live in New Guinea. Transported to New Zealand in the 1870s by Sir George Grey, Swamp and Parma Wallabies flourish on Kawau Island. Escaping from a British zoo, a group of Wallabies now have small established territories in Scotland and England.

This large and varied Family of Marsupials ranges from the large Great Kangaroos to the small Rat-kangaroos. The scientific name for Kangaroo, Macropodidae, is from Greek for “long foot.” With their muscular tails for balance, They hop with these long powerful hind feet.

The stereotypical Kangaroos are the Great Kangaroos -- Greys, Reds, and Wallaroos. The largest of all Marsupials, Great Kangaroos can travel distances without expending much energy. Using the strong tendons in their hind legs, They effortlessly bound across the Australian countryside.

Besides balancing and resting, Kangaroos use their tails in other ways. Rat-kangaroo (Potoroos and Bettongs) use their tails to gather nesting materials. Meanwhile Nail-tail Wallabies have a horny spur hidden in the hair at the tip of their tails. Among the Forest Wallabies of New Guinea, Dorcopsis only touches the tip of his tail on the ground while resting to keep it out of reach of Leeches, unlike Pademelon, whose tail becomes leech infested from lying on the swampy ground.

The most specialized of Kangaroos are Rock-wallabies and Tree-kangaroos. Rock-wallabies can leap up sheer rock faces, and then jump from ledge to ledge. Using their tails for balance and their short toenails for gripping, Rock-wallabies hop up tall rock cliffs.

Meanwhile, Tree-kangaroos live in the rain forests. Although They have the large hind legs of “regular” Kangaroos, Tree-kangaroos also have very long tails for balance, and strong forearms for holding onto branches. Bold and agile, They leap from a high tree to the ground or to another tree further away.

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Copyright: Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers, 2008

From Universal Class, fun self-paced classes taught by me:

Finding Your Animal Teachers

Animals For Everyone: Mammals

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The Meaning of Sugar Gliders

Enough with the sugar gliders? Not quite. This is the final post in this series.

The meaning of sugar gliders from Ann Williams-Fitzgerald, "Australian Animal Tarot Deck":

In the Tarot, they are the Lovers. The key words are "faith, choices, love, and relationship".

From the Animal Dreaming Forum
By Ravenna:

"Sugar glider teaches the wisdom of being able to fend for what is important to you in an assertive manner; without appearing fearsome or threatening. It is important in life that we don't go through it submitting to everyone's desires and suppressing our own wishes, or for that matter, being so aggressive that we scare off everyone! Sugar glider encourages a middle path, that is often quite masculine in nature.

Sugar glider also teaches us the value of the child in community. Often children are pushed to the side and rarely listened to, but sugar-glider teaches us that it is very important to actually *listen* to our children, and the children of a community, and what they have to tell us. This doesn't just include the cuter 6-8 year olds, but also the more obnoxious teenagers.

There is also value, in your life (if you have always been attracted to sugar gliders) in really respecting your sleep patterns and your occasional need to be introverted. It is important when distancing oneself from society that we still maintain a close connection to our family and friends, but introversion and rest is something your body and spirit crave.

Sugar-glider reminds us that we can do this. Finally, all the gliders tend to teach us that sometimes we need to do a bit more lateral thinking in order to reach a goal. As the gliders soar sideways and laterally to other trees to reach food sources, and communal nests - so glider can teach us to look beyond the square for that which nourishes us and feeds our spirit. Our lives and our lifestyles might seem a bit eclectic, but they literally help our spirit soar."

After reading this, I know understand why Gilbert Arenas choose the sugar glider to be a part of his cartoon series.

Sugar Gliders (part two)

More on the Sugar Gliders. After reading about them on the net, I have discovered they are the latest in pocket pets. I have a hard time with people having wild animals as pets. Sugar Gliders need a lot of care and feeding that most people do not know about.

From Australian Fauna:

These amazing little animals are native to Australia, and have taken their name from their ability to glide through the air and their love of sweet things such as sugar.

These creatures are found along eastern and northern Australia. The Sugar Gliders are small creatures with a shiny grey-silver coat. They are around 40 cm's long from nose to tail, and weigh just 150 grams.

They feed at night, mainly on insects found in trees, but also the sap from trees such as the eucalyptus. They can move about very efficiently from tree to tree, and glide through the air.

More editorial content from Sugar Glider University :

Sugar glider husbandry is very difficult for the average pet owner. Sugar gliders are not domesticated animals, and are, therefore, not a "companion pet."

Owning and maintaining a sugar glider colony is more like maintaining a small zoo exhibit than having a pet. It is very important to practice good husbandry with sugar gliders, as most captive sugar gliders in the U.S. die very prematurely due to inadequate husbandry practices.

Sugar Gliders (part one)

Sugar gliders are marsupials from Australia. They are kept in the U.S. as an exotic pet. Please, note that I do not condone keeping exotic pets, since they become pests in their adopted country. However, here is some information about them as a pet.

From Pawprint: http://www.pawprintonline.com/central-glider.html

"Sugar GlidersThe sugar glider is a small arboreal marsupial from northern and eastern Australia, New Guinea and other nearby islands, where they live in the eucalyptus forests.

Sugar gliders reach up to 6 inches in body length. They have long bushy tails, velvety gray fur with black markings, large black eyes and feet well adapted to their life in the trees.

Their most striking feature is their gliding membrane, which stretches from wrist to ankle. This gives them the ability to glide through the air, up to 150 feet in a single leap.

Pet sugar gliders have a life span of 12 to 15 years. Intelligent animals, they recognize voices, can solve problems and love to play.

Pet sugar gliders enjoy spending time with their humans and make wonderful pets. However, they require much more time and attention than most small animals and have special dietary and housing needs. Extremely social animals, they should always be kept in pairs or small groups. "

More information can be found at: http://exoticpets.about.com/od/sugargliders/Sugar_Gliders.htm