Tasmanian devils conjure thoughts of childhood Looney Toons for everyone on the planet except for a select few who actually live Down Under. While some similarities exist between Taz the cartoon character and the real carnivorous marsupial, certainly the cartoon looks nothing like them nor shares any of their traits or behavioral patterns.
Tasmanian devils are certainly some interesting and unique animals. Apart from being the largest living carnivorous marsupial, the Tasmanian devil is also one of the important Australian animals. So get ready to be an expert on these cheeky little devils; here are 10 facts about Tasmanian devils…
They once resided on the Australian mainland
…Or so historians say. It is well known that this animal became extinct on the Australian mainland about 400 years ago-fossils attest to this.
They Are The Largest Carnivorous Marsupial In The World.
This has been true for over 80 years now. The last carnivorous marsupial before the end of happened to be the thylacline commonly known as the Tasmanian Tiger, for over twices it’s size! The thylacline is a very distant relative of the Tasmanian Devil.
They Store Fat In Their Tails
In fact, the tail of a particularly fat animal is the mark of a healthy tassie devil.
It Can Consume A Maximum Of 40% Of Its Body Weight In A Day
….And you thought about the third cookie very much!
Joeys Are Born The Same Size As A Grain Of Rice.
A mother gives birth to around 20 to 40 Joeys at once. Meanwhile, these joeys have to be able to be the first to reach into the pouch where all the others are capable of doing so-the pouch has only four teats.
They Have One Of The World’s Strongest Bites.
It is thought to be about 544 kg per square inch. Bones are crushed for consumption as they open their jaws 75-80 degrees.
When They Face Each Other, They Yawn
More fear and anxiety rather than aggressive behavior is expressed through a yawn.
Great Tree Climbers
They are even extremely good swimmers and can run for 1 hour non-stop at 24 km/h.
Their Scientific Name Means “Lover of Flesh Harris”
“Sarcophilus harissa” from the scientist’s name of Harris who described the Tasmanian Devil.
Far North Queensland has the Only Tasmanian Devils in Captivity at Rainforestation
Fortunately, you need not travel across the waters to Tasmania to see the Devil-for-the-state! Rainforestation Nature Park, which is home to a couple of rowdy and rambunctious Tasmanian Devils, Neville the Devil, and Dennis the Menace, is a sight to behold!
This pair of half-brothers are quite fond of each other and spend many playful hours within their enclosure, though they tend to have their share of sibling quarrels!
Neville and Dennis were sent to Rainforestation by Devils Ark, a captive-breeding program aimed at saving the Tasmanian devil from extinction. Since the onset of this charity in 2011, Devils Ark has successfully bred over 180 healthy joeys.
Rainforestation is also a proud member of the ‘Save the Tasmanian Devil Foundation’, which is the official response to the tragic plight of the extinction of the Tasmanian Devil due to the grotesque devil facial tumor disease. This disease has decimated nearly 90% of the wild population since its emergence in 1996.
FAQS:
What are Tasmanian devils?
The Tasmanian devil is a carnivorous marsupial found only in Tasmania, characterized by its stout body, loud screams, and strong bite.
Are Tasmanian devils dangerous to humans?
Tasmanian devils pose no threat to humans. These nocturnal animals are shy and usually try to avoid encounters with humans.
Why are they called a devil?
The name was most probably given by early European settlers due to its other-worldly nighttime screams, black fur, and aggressiveness at feeding times.
What do Tasmanian devils eat?
Scavengers and carnivores, Tasmanian devils feed primarily on carrions, such as dead animals, birds, small mammals, and insects.