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Imagine a creature that resembles a hybrid between a bear, a tapir, and a kangaroo; this was the Palorchestes. Weighing over 1,000 kgs, this animal lived approximately 40,000 to 50,000 years ago. Initially considered a giant kangaroo, the Palorchestes’ unique anatomy revealed a heavily built quadruped with a long tongue and prehensile upper lip for grasping foliage. Though not much is known due to the rarity of its fossils, its elusive nature and solitary lifestyle render it one of the most intriguing specimens of ancient Australian fauna.