Tasmanian Devil Profile

19. Tasmanian Devil Profile

Common Name: Tasmanian Devil
Scientific Name: Sarcophilus harrisii
Genus: Sarcophilus
Family: Dasyuridae
Order: Dasyuromorphia
Class: Mammalia
Phylum: Chordata
Conservation Status: Endangered (IUCN)

Physical Description

The Tasmanian Devil is a stocky, muscular marsupial known for its strong jaws and ferocious feeding behavior. It has coarse black fur, a white patch on its chest, and distinctive, sharp teeth that are used to crush bones and consume meat. Despite its fierce reputation, the Tasmanian Devil is relatively small and grows to around the size of a large domestic cat.

Length: 50 – 80 cm (not including the tail)
Weight: 4 – 14 kg

Tasmanian Devils have large, powerful jaws capable of exerting one of the strongest bites relative to their size of any mammal. Their keen sense of smell helps them locate carrion and food sources, and their sharp hearing enables them to detect movement even at night.

Habitat

Tasmanian Devils are found only in the wild on the island of Tasmania, Australia. They inhabit a wide range of environments, from dry forests and woodlands to coastal areas, and are most commonly found in remote, rural regions. They prefer forested areas where they can find ample food and shelter.

Preferred habitats: Woodlands, forests, and scrublands

Diet

Tasmanian Devils are carnivorous scavengers, feeding primarily on carcasses of dead animals, but they will also hunt small prey, such as birds and mammals, when the opportunity arises. They are opportunistic feeders, and their strong jaws allow them to consume nearly every part of a carcass, including bones and organs.

Diet: Carrion, small mammals, birds, insects, and occasionally domestic animals (in rural areas)

Tasmanian Devils often feed in groups and are known for their loud, unsettling screeches and growls, which they use to establish dominance while feeding. Their vocalizations have earned them a reputation for being "devilish" in appearance and sound.

Behavior and Social Structure

Tasmanian Devils are generally solitary animals, although they may come together to feed on large carcasses. They are nocturnal and prefer to hunt and scavenge at night. When feeding in groups, they can be quite aggressive toward one another, using their powerful jaws to defend their food.

They are primarily solitary but communicate with one another through vocalizations and scent-marking, especially during the mating season.

Reproduction

Tasmanian Devils breed during the Australian summer, from March to May. Female Tasmanian Devils give birth to up to 4-6 tiny, underdeveloped young (joeys), which then climb into their mother's pouch to continue developing. Once the joeys are fully developed, they leave the pouch and continue to grow in a den, where they remain with their mother for several months.

Breeding season: March – May
Gestation period: About 21 days
Litter size: 2 – 6 joeys

Joeys are born very small and undeveloped, and they stay in the pouch for about 100 days before emerging. They will continue to nurse for several months and will stay with their mother for up to 8 months before becoming independent.

Interesting Facts

• Incredible Bite Force: Tasmanian Devils have one of the strongest bite forces of any mammal, relative to their size, allowing them to crush bone and eat virtually all parts of their prey.

• Loud and Aggressive: When feeding, Tasmanian Devils are known to make loud, blood-curdling screams that resemble a "devilish" growl, which adds to their fearsome reputation.

• Unique Immune System: Tasmanian Devils have a very strong immune system, capable of fighting off many diseases, but they are currently facing a major threat from a contagious cancer called Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD).

Role in the Ecosystem

As scavengers, Tasmanian Devils play an important role in the ecosystem by helping to clean up animal carcasses. Their consumption of carrion helps reduce the spread of disease and keeps ecosystems healthy by preventing the buildup of decaying remains.

Their position as apex scavengers in Tasmania ensures that they help maintain the balance of the food web.

Conservation Status

Tasmanian Devils are currently listed as Endangered due to the ongoing threat of Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), a transmissible cancer that has decimated populations in the wild. This disease spreads through bites, which are common in their aggressive feeding behavior. Efforts are being made to protect and conserve the species, including the establishment of disease-free populations in zoos and protected areas.

Conservation measures include:

• Protecting wild populations through habitat management and disease control

• Breeding programs in captivity

• Public education about the species and its conservation

With concerted efforts, there is hope that the Tasmanian Devil can make a recovery, though its future depends on continued vigilance and support from the conservation community.

Why They're At Risk

Endangered (IUCN Red List)

The Tasmanian Devil is classified as endangered primarily due to the spread of a contagious cancer known as Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). This disease has devastated the wild population, causing a dramatic decline in populations across Tasmania since the disease was first observed in the 1990s. Habitat destruction from logging and roadkill also contribute to their endangerment, while climate change poses further threats by altering their habitats and food availability. Conservation efforts, including disease management and habitat restoration, are crucial to preventing the extinction of this iconic marsupial. If no action is taken to protect the species, it could become extinct by as early as 2030. You can help by supporting organizations focused on researching and vaccinating against Devil Facial Tumour Disease, donating to habitat restoration projects, and advocating for the protection of their wild environments in Tasmania.