Joculusium facts for kids

Joculusium muizoni is an ancient animal known only from a fossil. It was discovered in the Riversleigh World Heritage Area in Australia. Scientists don't know much about this creature yet, but it's a fascinating piece of Earth's past!

What Kind of Animal Was It?

Joculusium muizoni was a type of marsupial, which are mammals that carry their young in a pouch. It belonged to a group called Dasyuromorphia. Today, this group includes animals like quolls, the Tasmanian devil, and the thylacine (which is now extinct).

The only fossil found so far is a single lower jaw bone. This jaw bone belonged to a carnivore, meaning an animal that ate meat. Scientists think it probably hunted and ate smaller animals or insects.

How Was It Named?

The name Joculusium muizoni has a special meaning. The second part, muizoni, honors a scientist named Christian de Muizon, who studies fossils. The first part, Joculusium, comes from the place where the fossil was found.

Where Did It Live?

The fossil of Joculusium muizoni was found at Riversleigh World Heritage Area in Australia. This area is famous for its many amazing fossils.

When Joculusium muizoni was alive, about 14 million years ago, Riversleigh was a very different place. It was a wet environment, covered in thick rainforest. This tells us that the ancient Australian landscape was once much lusher than some parts are today.