Whilst on a short visit to the London Natural History Museum Everything Dinosaur team members took some photographs of the Diprotodon fossils on display. Diprotodon (D. optatum) is the largest marsupial known to science. Males measured around 1.8 metres high at the shoulder. Their body length was approximately 4 metres, and the largest specimens are thought to have weighed up to 3,500 kilograms. Females were smaller than males.

Diprotodon fossils - the skeleton.
An extinct giant. The fossil skeleton of Diprotodon the largest marsupial known to science. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Diprotodon Fossils

Diprotodon (pronounced dip-pro-toe-don) was part of the Australian “megafauna” of the Pleistocene. The genus name is from the ancient Greek meaning “two protruding front teeth”. It is thought that this rhino-sized marsupial became extinct 40,000 years ago. At this time, Australia’s climate changed. It became much more arid. This climate change is thought to have been the main cause for their extinction. However, hunting from the first Aboriginal Australians cannot be ruled out.

Diprotodon replica.
A replica of the largest marsupial known to science Diprotodon on display at the London Natural History Museum. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The picture (above) shows a replica of Diprotodon on display alongside Diprotodon fossils at the London Natural History Museum. There are very few Diprotodon models/toys available. It is rare for examples of ancient marsupials to made into replicas by mainstream model manufacturers.

To view a range of prehistoric animal figures that does include replicas of prehistoric mammals: CollectA Deluxe Scale Prehistoric Animal Models.

Syndactylous Feet

Diprotodon is part of the Order Diprotodontia, which includes, wombats, kangaroos, koalas and possums. Syndactylous feet are a trait of the extant Diprotodontia and also assumed to be present in Diprotodon. The second and third toes are fused together. It is thought that Diprotodon also had fused second and third toes.

Diprotodon fossils - the hind feet.
The toes on the robust feet of Diprotodon curve inwards. This is thought to have been an evolutionary trait passed onto these huge animals from their fossorial ancestors. The second and third toes were probably fused (syndactylous feet). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

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