Tasmanian Devil
Tasmanian Devil
The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii ) is the largest surviving marsupial predator, occurring only on the island of Tasmania in dense thickets and forests. The Tasmanian devil is one of about 69 species of marsupial predators that make up the family Dasyuridae.
The Tasmanian devil once occurred widely in Australia and Tasmania. However, the Tasmanian devil became extirpated from Australia following the prehistoric introduction of the dingo (Canis dingo ; this is a placental, wild dog) by aboriginal people, and the species is now confined to the island of Tasmania.
Male Tasmanian devils can attain a body length of 32 in (80 cm) and a tail of 12 in (30 cm), and can weigh more than 20 lb (9 kg). Their pelage is colored dark brown or black, with several white spots on the rump and sides and a pinkish snout. The body is stout and badger like, and the jaws and teeth are strong.
As is the case with all marsupials, young Tasmanian devils are born in an early stage of embryonic development. The tiny babies crawl slowly to a belly pouch (or marsupium) on their mother, where they suckle until they are almost fully grown and ready for an independent life.
Tasmanian devils sleep in a den during the day, located in a hollow log, cave, or another cavity. This species is a fierce, nocturnal predator of smaller animals, and a scavenger of dead bodies, filling a niche similar to those of such placental carnivores as foxes,
cats, badgers, and wild dogs. Tasmanian devils feed on a wide range of species, including domestic chickens and sheep.
Sometimes, individual Tasmanian devils will invade a chicken coop and create havoc there. Unfortunately, this and sheep-killing often turn out badly for the Tasmanian devil in the end. Because many people consider the Tasmanian devil a pest, this extraordinary and uncommon animal is still persecuted over much of its remaining native range. This is highly unfortunate, because the Tasmanian devil is the last of the large marsupial predators, and it is essential that this species survives the human onslaught on its habitat. Although not yet listed as an endangered species, the Tasmanian devil is much reduced in abundance.
Recently a fatal disease—devil facial tumour disease (DFTD)—has been sweeping through Tasmanian devil populations. This disease kills up to 90% of the adults in areas with high population densities and 40– 50% of adults in areas with medium to low population densities. The disease is characterized by facial cancers and the animals appear to die within six months of the lesions first appearance. Scientists are currently studying this disease and its impact on Tasmanian devil populations. Laboratory studies seem to indicate that DFTD is an infectious cancer and research is underway to devise ways to combat this serious threat to Tasmanian devils.
Bill Freedman
Tasmanian Devil
Tasmanian devil
The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is the largest surviving marsupial predator , occurring only on the island of Tasmania in dense thickets and forests . The Tasmanian devil is one of about 45 species of marsupial predators that make up the family Dasyuridae.
The Tasmanian devil once occurred widely in Australia and Tasmania. However, the Tasmanian devil became extirpated from Australia following the prehistoric introduction of the dingo (Canis dingo; this is a placental, wild dog) by aboriginal people, and the species is now confined to the island of Tasmania.
Male Tasmanian devils can attain a body length of 32 in (80 cm) and a tail of 12 in (30 cm), and can weigh more than 20 lb (9 kg). Their pelage is colored dark brown or black, with several white spots on the rump and sides and a pinkish snout. The body is stout and badger-like, and the jaws and teeth are strong.
As is the case with all marsupials , young Tasmanian devils are born in an early stage of embryonic development. The tiny babies crawl slowly to a belly pouch (or marsupium) on their mother, where they suckle until they are almost fully grown and ready for an independent life.
Tasmanian devils sleep in a den during the day, located in a hollow log, cave , or another cavity. This species is a fierce, nocturnal predator of smaller animals, and a scavenger of dead bodies, filling a niche similar to those of such placental carnivores as foxes, cats ,badgers , and wild dogs. Tasmanian devils feed on a wide range of species, including domestic chickens and sheep .
Sometimes, individual Tasmanian devils will invade a chicken coop and create havoc there. Unfortunately, this and sheep-killing often turn out badly for the Tasmanian devil in the end. Because many people consider the Tasmanian devil a pest, this extraordinary and uncommon animal is still persecuted over much of its remaining native range. This is highly unfortunate, because the Tasmanian devil is the last of the large marsupial predators, and it is essential that this species survives the human onslaught on its habitat . Although not yet listed as an endangered species , the Tasmanian devil is much reduced in abundance.
Bill Freedman
Tasmanian devil
Tas·ma·ni·an dev·il / tazˈmānēən; -ˈmānyən/ • n. a heavily built marsupial (Sarcophilus harrisii, family Dasyuridae) with a large head, powerful jaws, and mainly black fur, found only in Tasmania. It is slow-moving and aggressive, feeding mainly on carrion.