The prehistoric Diprotodon was a giant relative of the wombat that grew as large as a rhinoceros.

The Diprotodon optatum is the most famous member of the Australian megafauna that thrived during the Pleistocene epoch. Fossil evidence suggests these giants first appeared approximately 1.6 million years ago and survived until roughly 44,000 years ago. They were massive quadrupeds, standing about 2 meters tall at the shoulder and weighing nearly 3 metric tons, making them comparable in size to a modern white rhinoceros.Research published in journals like 'Science' and 'Nature' indicates that Diprotodons were the first marsupials known to have engaged in seasonal migrations. By analyzing strontium isotopes in their fossilized teeth, paleontologists from the University of Queensland discovered that these animals traveled hundreds of kilometers annually to find food. This behavior is similar to that of modern African wildebeests or zebras.The Diprotodon possessed a unique skull structure with large cavities to reduce weight and massive front incisors for stripping vegetation. Their feet were surprisingly small for their body size and turned inward, a trait still seen in their closest living relatives, the wombats. They inhabited open woodlands and grasslands, likely using their size to reach high foliage or defend against predators like the Thylacoleo, or marsupial lion.The extinction of the Diprotodon coincided with significant climate shifts and the arrival of the first humans in Australia. While the exact cause remains a subject of scientific debate, many researchers believe a combination of habitat loss and hunting pressure led to their disappearance. Today, their fossils are frequently found in locations like Lake Callabonna in South Australia, providing a clear window into the continent's ancient ecosystem.