What is a Tasmanian devil? How big are they and what do they eat? Learn all about the cute but devilish Tasmanian devil in our expert guide
Meet the Tasmanian devil, a 10kg powerhouse of compact muscle and fur that resembles a pit bull on steroids, with a growl to match.
What is a Tasmanian devil?
Tasmanian devils are small marsupials endemic to Tasmania, an Australian island. It is also the largest surviving carnivorous marsupial in the world.
Why is it called the Tasmanian devil?
The Tasmanian devil earned its name from European settlers as a result of its unearthly screams and growls.
How big are Tasmanian devils?
Tasmanian devils are around 75-110cm long, including the tail. Males weigh 10-12kg, while females tend to weigh 7-8kg.
What do Tasmanian devils look like?
They are a squat, dog-like black marsupial about the size of a bulldog with a distinctive white stripe across the chest.
Where do Tasmanian devils live?
Found all over Tasmania but especially dry eucalypt forests, woodland and agricultural areas.
What do Tasmanian devils eat?
Tasmanian devils mainly eat carrion of dead wallabies, possums and wombats, but will also catch live animals. Young devils will take amphibians and insects.
How do Tasmanian devils reproduce
Devils can breed in their first year, with mating usually between January and March. Females give birth to up to 20 young after just three weeks, but can only then suckle a maximum of four.
Young devils become independent at about 10 months.
How long do Tasmanian devils live for?
The average lifespan of a devil is five years.
Why are Tasmanian devils important?
The devils protect Tasmania from invasive species – creatures such as rabbits and domestic cats and dogs that Europeans brought to Australia have wreaked havoc on native wildlife across the Bass Straits.
But, on the whole, they are either absent from Tasmania or, in the case of cats and dogs, have not run feral to the same extent. This has allowed smaller, rarer marsupials to flourish.
Are Tasmanian devils aggressive to humans?
Despite their ferocious name, Tasmanian devils are timid creatures that don’t pose a danger to people unless they are attacked or trapped. In many cases, they would prefer flight rather than fight.
What is the conservation status of Tasmanian devils?
Endangered. A contagious cancer called devil facial tumour disease, which is spread by biting, has decimated populations of Tasmanian devils. However there is hope, a project by the conservation group Aussie Ark has seen disease-free devils reintroduced to the Australian mainland, where they have not lived for over 3,000 years. Also a 2016 scientific paper suggested there were signs Tasmanian devils were becoming resistant to cancer
Where to see Tasmanian devils
Photographs: Getty Images