Rockhampton, Queensland – Researchers in Australia have uncovered fascinating insights into the behavior of prehistoric giant kangaroos, known as Protemnodon, who lived on the Australian continent between 5 million and 40,000 years ago. Contrary to expectations based on their size, these giant kangaroos were found to have a surprisingly small range, staying within a confined area near Mt Etna, situated 30km north of Rockhampton in Queensland.

According to the study published in Plos One, led by University of Wollongong palaeo-ecologist Chris Laurikainen Gaete and Queensland Museum vertebrate palaeontologist Dr. Scott Hocknull, the fossils of Protemnodon found near Mt Etna indicate that these massive kangaroos were “homebodies” that remained within close proximity to the caves where their remains were discovered. Despite their imposing size, these giant kangaroos seemed to prefer a stable environment, feeding on rainforest leaves in the vicinity.

The restricted range of Protemnodon near Mt Etna may have ultimately led to their extinction when a changing climate and increasing aridity disrupted the rainforest environment approximately 280,000 years ago. The findings shed light on how different species of megafauna adapted to various environments across Australia, with evidence suggesting that several species of giant kangaroos roamed the continent, including New Guinea.

Further research will involve studying fossils of smaller kangaroos, such as tree kangaroos and rock wallabies, from Mt Etna to understand how they managed to survive environmental changes that led to the extinction of Protemnodon. By analyzing unique chemical signatures in fossilized teeth, researchers hope to gain insights into the geographic range and behavior of these ancient marsupials.

The study’s innovative techniques and discoveries have the potential to reshape how paleontologists and ecologists interpret the fossil record, opening up new avenues for understanding the dynamics of prehistoric ecosystems and the factors that contributed to the extinction of certain species like Protemnodon. Through a combination of geological analysis and paleontological evidence, researchers are piecing together the puzzle of Australia’s ancient fauna, offering a glimpse into the lives of giant kangaroos that once roamed the continent.