Creature Feature | Tasmania “devil” no evil animal!

Dispelling some myths about …. the Tasmania devil – not evil animals! 

The Tasmanian Devil is often portrayed as an evil, savage animal in movies and cartoons. However, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. In reality, the Tasmanian Devil is a shy creature that prefers to live alone or in small family groups.

The Tasmanian Devil is an opportunist and scavenger, and its diet consists mainly of meat such as small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects.

What threats do they face?

The Tasmanian Devil is an endangered species. The extinction of this animal would be a huge loss to the world. There are many threats that they face today, and we need to take action if we want to prevent their extinction.

One of the largest threats they face is the devil facial tumour disease (DFTD). The disease has been devastating for the population of the Tasmanian Devils, and it has been spreading rapidly since its discovery in 1996.

Do they bite?

Tassie devils are not dangerous or a threat to humans. They do not attack people, but if they are attacked or trapped, they will of course defend themselves. Devils may appear to be fierce, but they would rather flee than fight. However, devils have powerful jaws and can cause serious injury when they bite.

Did Tassie devils live elsewhere apart from Tasmania?

Fossils of Tasmanian Devils have been found scattered throughout the mainland of Australia. It is believed that they became extinct on the mainland around 3000 years ago, well before European settlement. Their top predator was the Dingo which completely wiped out the population; however, it’s lucky that there are no dingoes in Tasmania.

Why such a dark past?

Tasmanian Devils didn’t have it all their own way in Tasmania. Those who nicknamed them Devils (a theory that has since been debunked) hunted and poisoned them to near-extinction until the government stepped in to protect them in the 1940s. European settlers in Tasmania regarded the Tasmanian devil as a pest because it preyed on their farm animals like chickens, ducks, and geese. Citizens were financially rewarded for hunting and killing Tasmanian devils, which lasted for years. Once devils were protected in 1941, the population rebounded.

Why are called “devils”?

Tassie Devils got their name ‘Devils’ from their blood-curdling screams. When early settlers heard the screeches, they believed that the noise was those of a demon hiding in the bushes around them. Tasmanian devils make a lot of different sounds, often described as growls, screams, screeches and coughs, all of which are a defence mechanism to scare off predators and other devils.

What’s special about a Tassie devil’s teeth?

Even the teeth of a Tasmanian Devil are one-of-a-kind. Although they have 42 teeth like a dog, unlike dogs, a Devil’s teeth grow continuously throughout its life, allowing it to consume the bones of its prey with incredible efficiency.

Do Tassie devils smell?

Tassie Devils have a natural smell that is similar to that of a wet dog. They also have a scent gland that is used to mark territory by emitting an unpleasant odour.

Are Tassie devils marsupials?

Similar to kangaroos and possums, Tasmanian Devils are marsupials. The pouches of female marsupial animals are used to carry their offspring. Tassie Devils also happen to be the largest surviving carnivorous marsupial on the planet! As carnivores, the Tasmanian devil consumes meat as well as scavenges throughout their environment.

How long are devils pregnant for ?

About 21 days are required for the gestation period of a devil mother. For about four months, the mother carries her young, known as imps or joeys, in her pouch. The mother leaves the joey in a simple den when they are ready to leave the pouch. It takes a lot of effort on the part of the mother to care for her children. She’ll return to the den on a regular basis to give them milk. At the age of 10 months, the Tasmanian Devil young are ready to be weaned.

How small are Tassie devils when born?

Since the Tasmanian Devil is a marsupial, its young are called joeys, similar to its relatives such as wombats and kolas. A mother gives birth to around 20-40 joeys at a single time, which are roughly the same size as a grain of rice! However, a mother devil only has four teats to raise her young.

What’s unusual about Tassie tiger’s scientific name?

The Tassie Devils scientific name is Sarcophilus harrisii. This translates to ‘Harris’s meat lover’. George Harris was the scientist who described the Tasmanian devil. The first of the name ‘Sarcophilus’ is a genus which all the carnivorous marsupials are classified as. The Tasmanian devil is the only living member of the genus Sarcophilus following the extinction of Thylacine, also known as the Tasmanian Tiger, in 1936.

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