So far as is known, this appears to be the record for thylacine longevity in a zoo outside of Australia.  The typical life span in the wild is unknown, although based upon records of captive individuals, it is estimated to be about 8-10 years.  Examples of some other large marsupials, such as the Red kangaroo (Macropus rufus), have survived for nearly 20 years under captive conditions, but in the wild have a life expectancy of 8-12 years.

. One of the thylacines that was exhibited at New York's Bronx Zoo.  A male, this individual was the first thylacine at the zoo.  He lived there from 1902-1908.

    Several thylacines were exhibited in European zoos, but only Renshaw (1938) appears to have made any observations.  However, Moeller (1968) was able to make comment on certain rudimentary aspects of the species' behaviour through detailed observation of the short film sequences that were taken of the last thylacine kept in captivity (Hobart Zoo).

    Gould (1863) mentioned that the species was quite shy in captivity, and when disturbed would dash about uttering "a short guttural cry resembling a bark".  It was stated by Le Souef and Burrell (1926) that:

    "When excited it makes a series of husky, coughing barks, the breath being indrawn with a wheeze".  Apart from that, they seem to have been rather silent.  The one observed by Renshaw "was active during the early part of the day, running to and fro in its exercise yard, the head held low like a hound's on scent.  The beast often paused abruptly, as if to reconnoitre, standing motionless with head raised; it took little notice of the attendant entering the yard, as if half-blinded by the sun.  When the light became powerful it often retreated to the inner den, where it curled itself up like a dog; but it would also recline to bask in the sun, a strange habit for a semi-nocturnal animal.  In sleep it lay on one side fully extended; the upper-most ear remaining erect".
 

. Some examples of a thylacine exhibiting bipedal standing.  In this stance, it is much reminiscent of a kangaroo.  Both of these images are from a film taken in 1928 at the Hobart Zoo (Domain site).

Gunn (1863) once observed a female jump 6-8 feet (1.8 - 2.4 m) from the base of its cage to the top of the wall and from cross-beam to cross-beam with great ease.  However, the most extraordinary detail of behavior was depicted on the aforementioned film examined by Moeller, who noted two distinct methods of locomotion.  One is the plantar walk which is common to most mammals, that is, with diagonally opposite limbs moving alternately, but with the entire pes, including the long heel, in contact with the ground.  (Of course, this stance is not suitable for running.)     The other method was a bipedal hop.  As can be seen in the film, the animal can stand upright with its front limbs in the air, resting on its elongated back feet, and using the end of its tail as an additional support.  In this posture, it takes on a very kangaroo-like appearance, and sometimes hops a short distance.     Anecdotally, it was claimed that the thylacine possesses considerable strength, and is quite capable of defending itself effectively when threatened by attacking dogs.  A statement by Hugh Mackay (quoted by Le Souef and Burrell 1926) reads:

    "A bull-terrier was once set upon a wolf (thylacine) and bailed it up in a niche in some rocks.  There the wolf stood, with its back to the wall, turning its head from side to side, checking the terrier as it tried to butt in from alternate and opposite directions.  Finally, the dog came in close, and the wolf gave one sharp, fox-like bite, tearing a piece of the dog's skull clean off, and it fell with the brain protruding, dead."

    Being normally quite shy and non-aggressive toward people, attacks on humans by thylacines in the wild are virtually unheard of.  Most of what very few thylacine-induced injuries are known occurred in zoos when dealing with nervous or aggravated individuals - in one instance, during a photography session.  Early in 1900, the Scottsdale North-Eastern Advertiser made mention of a Ms. Priscilla Murray of South Springfield, near Mt. Scott, who was bitten by a thylacine.  She was washing laundry at an outdoor bench when the thylacine grasped her right arm in its mouth.  Of note is the fact that Ms. Murray mentioned that the animal was missing an eye.  Due to this visual impairment, the thylacine may have possibly mistaken her moving arm for a prey animal.  As she tried to push the thylacine away, her left hand also sustained bites, but when she inadvertently stepped on its tail, the animal let go.  The scars left by several of the teeth-marks were still visible many years later (Troughton 1967).