Petite Thylacine

A close relative of the extinct species from Tasmania and Australia, the Yuriban Petite Thylacine is a small, carnivorous marsupial that closely resembles a canid in general body shape. Unlike the common Thylacine, the Yuriban variety is significantly smaller, typically approximately the size of a large house cat.

Description

The Petite Thylacine has a stiff tail, a marsupial pouch, and a pointed, dog-like head. Typical weights are in the range of 4.5 to 9 kg, with a height of 24 to 28 cm. Wild varieties tend to have fur in slightly mottled brown and grey shades, with dark brown transverse stripes along the top of its back. The fur tends to be very thick and soft, with a short, sleek appearance. However, domesticated Petite Thylacine are a popular pet Underhill, both for companionship and pest control. Domesticated varieties come in a much wider range of colors, from a pale cream to deep brown, with the stripes always darker than the base coat. Breeding lines that have large splotches or spots of colors are rarer and highly prized by natives. As Petite Thylacines age, their colors tend to fade and grow more muddied and pale in hue.

The typical 'personality' of a Petite Thylacine is shy but inquisitive; while they are naturally nervous of humans, they are also extremely curious and can be lured by food or unusual circumstances. Tame varieties tend to bond most closely with a single individual, but show affection with other family members and commonly seen friends or other domesticated animals. However, many are nervous around new or unusual people and take some time to "come out of their pouch" and grow comfortable with them. In the wild, most Thylacines have a life expectancy between 10 and 15 years; tame individuals often live 20 to 30 years, if well cared for. Very rare cases of pet varieties living into their early 40s are documented.

Diet

The primary diet sustenance for the Petite Thylacine tends to consist of the native rodents of Yuriba and other small mammals, such as rabbits, squirrels, Stone Sitters, and the White Foot Mouse. They also predate upon ground dwelling birds, such as the Yuriban Game Hen and small amphibians and reptiles. (Natives who own 'cines report that their pets seem to find frogs a particular treat.)

Habitat

The Petite Thylacine generally resides in inland Yuriba, in the expansive wooded portions. They also sometimes den in marshy or swampy areas, or along creek beds. It is rare to see them on the beaches and they seem to have little interest eating or scavenging sea creatures. Primarily crepuscular and nocturnal hunters, wild Petite Thylacine are often difficult to spot and avoid noisy areas. However, they are surprisingly comfortable with quiet or calm humans who dwell in wooded areas, possibly due to ongoing interbreeding between the wild specimens and escaped domesticated ones.