Tasmanian devil

Sarcophilus harrisii taranna

Jenolan Caves Tasmanian Devil jaw

Karyotype of Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus Harrisii)

Tasmanian Devil markings

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Animaldentition sarcophilusharrisii

Tasmanian devil skeleton

Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is a carnivorous marsupial of the family Dasyuridae. It is native to Tasmania, an island state of Australia, and is the largest living carnivorous marsupial in the world following the extinction of the thylacine in 1936. The Tasmanian devil is characterized by its stocky and muscular build, black fur, pungent odor, extremely loud and disturbing screech, keen sense of smell, and ferocity when feeding. Despite its aggressive reputation, the Tasmanian devil is primarily a scavenger, feeding on the carcasses of dead animals.

Description

The Tasmanian devil has a squat, thick build, with a large head and a tail roughly half the length of its body. Its fur is mostly black, with optional white markings on the chest and rump. Adults can reach a length of 30 inches (76 cm) and weigh up to 12 kg (26 lb), making them the largest carnivorous marsupials in the world.

Behavior

Tasmanian devils are nocturnal and solitary animals, but they often feed together in groups. They have a powerful bite relative to their size, capable of crushing bones to consume the entire body of their prey, including the bones and fur. The sound of their feeding, consisting of growling, screaming, and snarling, along with their strong odor, helps to keep other predators at bay.

Habitat

The Tasmanian devil is found in a wide range of habitats across Tasmania, including forests, woodlands, and agricultural areas. They are adaptable and can live close to human settlements.

Reproduction

Females give birth to 20–30 young after a gestation period of about 21 days, but only four young can survive as they compete for the four teats in the mother's pouch. The young devils, known as joeys, remain attached to a teat for around 100 days. After leaving the pouch, they stay in a den and are weaned by around six months of age.

Conservation Status

The Tasmanian devil is currently listed as Endangered by the IUCN Red List due to a contagious cancer known as Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), which has significantly reduced the population. Efforts are being made to conserve the species, including breeding programs and research into the disease.

Cultural Significance

The Tasmanian devil has become an iconic symbol of Tasmania. It is used in logos, cartoons, and has been the subject of conservation campaigns. Despite its fearsome reputation, the Tasmanian devil plays a crucial role in the ecosystem by controlling the population of other animals and eliminating carcasses.