The name of the chosen extinct megafauna. (1 mark) -Meiolania spp. “Small roamer”
Include a diagram/picture of the megafauna. (1 mark)
Write a general description (including size, shape, special features, etc) (4 marks)
The Meiolania was big, it was 8.2ft or 2.5 meters in length, it is the second largest known non-marine turtle/tortoise. Meiolania had a unusual shaped skull that had knobs and horns. the two horns angled sideways making the skull 60 centimetres wide. The horns prevented the Meiolania to pull it’s head fully into it’s shell. The tail was often used as a weapon with thorn spikes along it. The Meiolania were approximately 300—700kg…show more content… 2 million to 2,000 years ago.
What was the distribution of the megafauna within Australia? Include a map with a key to show the distribution of both animals. (2 marks)
The Meiolania Spp. lived in Australia, Lord Howe Island, New Caledonia and Vanuatu. The species in New Caledonia and Lord Howe Island were much smaller than the ones in Australia. It is not 100% known where exactly in Australia the Meiolania lived but it has been thought to be from Queensland and the top of the Northern Territory and Lord Howe Island which is 664 km off Sydney.
Describe the habitat in which the megafauna lived. (4 marks)
The habitat of the Meiolania was terrestrial, they couldn't swim because of their tail and found it hard to keep their heads above the waters surface. The Meiolania’s like the climates found in the top of the Northern Territory, Queensland and Lord Howe Island. This would of consisted of hot days with the sun to bask under with trees to find shade, there is also some evidence that they liked swampy areas. The Meiolania liked environments with vegetation on the ground for them to eat. There is also some evidence to show that they lived in the tropical rain forests of
