This one is obviously a more recent drawing as I have been spending a lot of time working with cryptids, and with pen and ink. This 9×12 pen and ink drawing on watercolor paper was a blast to do.
As for the cryptid itself, I always viewed the Bunyip as the normal cocky Aussie effort to one up Bigfoot since no one really gives much attention to Yowie (The Australian Bigfoot). Then one day I was watching the “Wildtimes Podcast” and heard Forrest Galante’s theory on the Bunyip. Frankly I buy it….and we will go into the theory quite a bit in this article.
The drawing itself draws from that theory and envisions an ancient Aboriginal hunter being treed by a Thylocoleo with a swampy Australian landscape in the background.
Here is the Forrest’s theory broken down:
The Aboriginal Legend of the Bunyip
Description and Characteristics:
- Physical Appearance: The bunyip is described variably in Aboriginal mythology. Common descriptions include a large creature with a canine face, dark fur, a horse-like tail, flippers, and tusks or horns. Other accounts depict it as more amphibious, resembling a large water-dwelling animal.
- Habitat: Bunyips are said to inhabit swamps, billabongs, creeks, riverbeds, and waterholes throughout Australia. Their presence is often associated with eerie sounds, mysterious disappearances, and death.
- Behavior: According to legend, bunyips are nocturnal and emerge at night to prey on animals and humans. They are often described as dangerous and malevolent, lurking in the water to ambush their victims.
Cultural Significance:
- Role in Mythology: The bunyip plays a significant role in Aboriginal culture as a cautionary figure. It is used in stories to warn children and adults to avoid dangerous waters, thus promoting safety around natural water sources.
- Regional Variations: Different Aboriginal tribes have their own versions of the bunyip legend, with variations in its appearance and behavior. Despite these differences, the core elements of the creature’s fearsome nature and aquatic habitat remain consistent.
Comparison to the Extinct Thylacoleo
Thylacoleo: The Marsupial Lion:
- Physical Description: Thylacoleo carnifex, also known as the marsupial lion, was a large carnivorous marsupial that lived in Australia until about 46,000 years ago. It had powerful jaws, large, blade-like premolars, and strong forelimbs with retractable claws.
- Habitat: Thylacoleo is believed to have lived in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and possibly open plains. It was a terrestrial predator, unlike the primarily aquatic bunyip.
- Behavior: As a top predator, Thylacoleo likely hunted large prey such as diprotodonts and other megafauna. Its physical adaptations suggest it was a formidable hunter capable of ambush tactics.
Possibilities of Bunyip and Thylacoleo Being the Same
Timelines and Overlap:
- Human Arrival: Humans are believed to have arrived in Australia around 65,000 years ago.
- Extinction of Thylacoleo: Thylacoleo is thought to have gone extinct approximately 46,000 years ago. This extinction coincides with the period during which humans and megafauna coexisted.
Overlap and Continuity:
- Oral Traditions: Aboriginal oral traditions often preserve knowledge of past events and creatures. It is conceivable that stories of Thylacoleo may have been passed down through generations, evolving into the bunyip legend.
- Possible Misidentification: As Thylacoleo fossils were discovered in proximity to water sources, it is possible that early human encounters with these fossils contributed to the bunyip myth. Features such as large teeth and powerful limbs could be interpreted in various ways, fueling the imagination.
Behavioral and Habitat Differences:
- Terrestrial vs. Aquatic: Thylacoleo was a terrestrial predator, while the bunyip is consistently described as an aquatic or semi-aquatic creature. This discrepancy suggests they are not directly related.
- Predatory Nature: Both creatures are depicted as dangerous predators. Thylacoleo’s role as a top predator could parallel the bunyip’s fearsome reputation.
Scientific and Cultural Considerations:
- Lack of Concrete Evidence: There is no direct evidence linking Thylacoleo to the bunyip legend. The significant time gap between Thylacoleo’s extinction and the more recent bunyip stories poses challenges for direct correlation.
- Cultural Evolution: The bunyip legend likely evolved over thousands of years, incorporating elements from various sources, including possible sightings of other large animals, environmental features, and human imagination.
Conclusion
While intriguing to consider the possibility of the bunyip being a cultural memory of the extinct Thylacoleo, the differences in their described habitats and behaviors suggest that the bunyip is more likely a composite myth derived from a variety of sources. The overlap in timelines and the rich oral traditions of Aboriginal Australians provide fertile ground for such legends to develop, reflecting both the natural world and the deep cultural history of the continent.
