This large marsupial was initially described as a giant kangaroo due to the similarity of its cheek teeth to those of living kangaroos. Consequently, it was given the scientific name Palorchestes azael, which is derived from Latin and means 'ancient leaper'. 

As more fossil material of this animal has been discovered, scientists now know that Palorchestes was a marsupial species that appeared during the Miocene, and went extinct about 40,000 years ago. This creature has been called the 'marsupial tapir' because of its long nose. However, Palorchestes was not a tapir. The similarity in nose shape is an example of convergent evolution.

Palorchestes was a ground dwelling marsupial that lived in a woodland habitat where, using its powerful forelimbs and razor sharp claws, it was capable of ripping through tough vegetation, such as bark on tree trunks, in order to obtain food. It's tongue was long and ribbon-like. It walked on four powerful legs. This creature was an herbivore. It is thought to have fed in these ways: pulling up bushes and eating the roots stripping the bark from trees and eating the soft inner part of the trunk.

The strong, high-crowned teeth provide further evidence that its diet consisted largely of abrasive vegetation.