HW 14

Tasmanian Tiger

What They Were Like: Tasmanian tigers looked like medium-sized dogs with stripes on their back and a thick tail. They were nocturnal, shy, and hunted at night
Where They Lived: They lived in Tasmania, and also used to live in Australia and New Guinea. They became extinct on the mainland and New Guinea about 3,200 years ago.
When They Went Extinct: The last known Tasmanian tiger died in 1936. The species was officially declared extinct in 1982.
How They Went Extinct: Their extinction was caused by hunting, habitat loss, and low genetic diversity. European settlers hunted them because they thought the tigers were attacking livestock.
Ecological Impact: I couldn't find any information about this specifically. As predators, their disappearance would have changed their environment and affected other animals.
Niche Replacement: I didn't find anything indicating another species filled their niche.

What They Were Like: The Quagga was a subspecies of the plains zebra, and looked kind of like them. It had zebra-like stripes on its head and neck, which blended into a solid brown on their rear ends. They were ~4 feet tall at the shoulder and weighed ~600 lbs.
Where They Lived: Quaggas lived in South Africa. They favored arid to temperate grasslands, and their habitat included grasslands, scrublands, and occasionally wetter pastures.
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When They Went Extinct: The last known Quagga died in 1883.
How They Went Extinct: The extinction of the Quagga was primarily due to overhunting by humans for meat and hides, along with habitat loss and diseases brought by livestock. Their unique appearance also made them a target for trophy hunting.
Ecological Impact: Quaggas played an essential role in their ecosystem by controlling plant growth through selective grazing. This helped maintain balanced ecosystems and supported biodiversity by preventing overgrazing and allowing various species to coexist.
Niche Replacement: I didn't find anything indicating another species filled their niche.