Tasmanian Devil

Is the world's largest surviving carnivorous marsupial. It has a thick-set, squat build, with a relatively large, broad head and short, thick tail. The fur is mostly or wholly black, but white markings often occur on the rump and chest. Adult males are usually larger than adult females. Large males weigh up to 12 kg, and stand about 30 cm high at the shoulder.

The devil is only found in Tasmania and are widespread from the coast to the mountains, almost anywhere they can hide and find shelter by day, and find food at night.

The devil is mainly a scavenger and feeds on whatever is available. Powerful jaws and teeth enable it to completely devour its prey - bones, fur and all. Wallabies, and various small mammals and birds, are eaten - either as carrion or prey. Carcasses of sheep and cattle provide food in farming areas. Devils maintain bush and farm hygiene by cleaning up carcasses. This can help reduce the risk of blowfly strike to sheep by removing food for maggots.

Devils are famous for their rowdy communal feeding at carcasses - the noise and displays being used to establish dominance amongst the pack.

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Tasmanian Tiger - Thylacine

Click the button below to go to the best Thylacine webpage I have seen. Read the very sad story of Benjamin the last Tasmanian Tiger.