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Tasmanian Devil

Tasmanian Devil Facts

Size 22.4-25.5 inch (57-65 cm)
Speed Up to 15 mph (24 km/h)
Weight 13-18 lb (6-8 kg)
Lifespan 5-8 years
Food Mice, rats, rabbits
Predators Snakes, wild dogs
Predators Birds
Habitat Tasmania (Australia)
Order Dasyuromorphia
Family Dasyuridae
Scientific name Sarcophilus harrisii
Characteristics Very curious, aggressive marsupial

Main Characteristics

Do you know the Tazmanian Devil from the cartoon series? It really exists! It is one of the most unusual mammals on the Australian island Tasmania.

Tasmanian Devil Tasmanian Devil - Photo: Andrii Slonchak/Shutterstock

Where Does the Name Come From?

When European settlers first came to Tasmania, they heard a scary hissing noise in a clump of shrubs. It came from a Tasmanian devil looking for food. This alone was rather frightening. When the little marsupial mice find a carcass and devour it with other devils they utter reedy, screeching sounds. This really may give you the shivers and it inevitably makes you think of the devil, doesn't it?

Tasmanian Devil Tasmanian Devil - Photo: Flash-ka/Shutterstock


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Importance For the Ecosystem

Tasmanian Devils Are the Vacuum Cleaners of the Forest

Tasmanian devils cover long distances every night to gather food – sometimes up to 10 miles (16 km). As scavengers they eat practically everything they can find, including bones. No matter how old and rotten, Tasmanian devils eat it and thus keep the forest clean. This is why they are sometimes called the “vacuum cleaners” of the forest. They also hunt living prey such as small mammals and birds.

Tasmanian Devil Tasmanian Devil - Photo: Bernhard Richter/Shutterstock

Behavior

When Tasmian Devils Feel Threatened

If a Tasmanian devil opens its mouth widely, it is scared and feels insecure. It also produces a musty smell when under stress.

How Do Tasmian Devils Fight Off Rivals?

If you see two Tasmanian devils sneeze, this does not mean they both are having a cold. Sneezing is a kind of bluff rivalling male devils use in fights for domination. During the fight their ears also go red.


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Enemies and Threats

Tasmanian devils are the biggest carnivores in Tasmania and hardly have any enemies. They die in fights with local dogs, in car accidents, from diseases or the loss of their habitat.

Tasmanian Devils Are About to Become Extinct

In former times the Tasmanian devil was seen as a vermin and hunted like the Tasmanian tiger (the last Tasmanian tiger died in 1936). Fortunately, Tasmanian devils have been protected by law since 1941 and thus had the chance to breed again. In addition, farmers have learned to appreciate the devils because the little carnivores kill mice.

Tasmanian Devil Tasmanian Devil - Photo: John Carnemolla/Shutterstock

Reproduction

Tasmanian Devil Babies

Tasmanian Devils are marsupials and carry their kids around in their pouches for about four months, before they are able to live on their own. But till then, things are really complicated: The female devil gives birth to 20 – 30 babies at once. Then the young devils have to take part in a race from the birth canal to the teats in the pouch of their mother.

There are only four teats, which means that only four babies will survive. As soon as the babies are big enough, they take a ride on the back of their mother or cling to her tummy like koalas. After six months the youngs leave their mother. If they manage to survive the first year, devils can become 7 or 8 years old in the wild.

The Tasmanian Devil Is Related To:

  • Quoll

Animals in the Same Biome:


Marsupial Species Fact Sheets


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