Connect with us

Published

on

The extinction of many kangaroo species in Australia around 40,000 years ago might have been caused more by human activities than climatic changes. Fossil evidence from ancient kangaroo teeth suggests that these animals adapted well to changing climates due to their flexible diets. This raises the likelihood that human hunting practices played a greater role in their disappearance than previously assumed. Over 90 percent of the continent’s large animal species vanished during the same period, with kangaroos making up a significant portion of these losses.

Teeth Analysis Challenges Climate Theory

According to Science News, researchers, including Samuel Arman, a paleontologist at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, studied the teeth of 937 kangaroo specimens. This included both fossilised and modern species. The study examined microscopic wear on the teeth, which provides clues about dietary habits. The findings contradict earlier assumptions that extinct kangaroos depended on limited types of vegetation, such as tough plants. Instead, the evidence suggests these animals had varied diets, making them more resilient to environmental changes.

Human Impact on Kangaroo Populations

Experts have long debated the reasons behind the extinction of Australia’s megafauna. While climatic shifts were considered a major factor, this study suggests that kangaroos had previously endured significant environmental changes and diversified into numerous species. The arrival of humans, estimated between 70,000 and 50,000 years ago, coincided with the decline of these animals. Hunting is now seen as a primary factor in their disappearance, overshadowing dietary limitations caused by climate change.

Further Research into Extinct Species

The researchers suggest that similar dental analyses could provide insights into the diets of other extinct Pleistocene mammals. This method could help determine whether dietary restrictions contributed to their extinction or if human activity played a more significant role, as seen with Australia’s ancient kangaroos.

Catch the latest from the Consumer Electronics Show on Gadgets 360, at our CES 2025 hub.


Realme Announces Republic Day Sale With Discounts on Realme GT 7 Pro, Realme GT 6T, More



Tamil Romantic Drama Miss You Starring Siddharth Now Streaming on Prime Video

Continue Reading

Science

NASA’s James Webb Telescope May Have Found First Black Hole Star, Known as ‘The Cliff’

Published

on

By

JWST detected “The Cliff,” a candidate black hole star with a black hole core wrapped in a luminous gas shell. This discovery offers insights into black hole formation, stellar evolution, and cosmic dynamics, prompting astronomers to search for similar objects across the universe.

Continue Reading

Science

Tiny Red Dots Spotted By NASA’s James Webb Telescope Could Be Black Hole Stars

Published

on

By

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope revealed mysterious “little red dots” that seem too bright and mature for their age. A new study suggests they may be black hole stars—giant hydrogen spheres powered by black holes—helping explain the rapid growth of early supermassive black holes.

Continue Reading

Science

Blue Origin to Land NASA’s VIPER Rover on the Moon’s South Pole in 2027

Published

on

By

NASA chose Blue Origin to deliver the VIPER rover to the Moon’s South Pole by late 2027 under a $190 million CLPS contract. VIPER will explore permanently shadowed craters for water ice, a key resource for Artemis goals and sustainable human exploration on the lunar surface.

Continue Reading

Trending