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| Tasmanian devil | Habitat Population Size & Facts |
The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), a stocky carnivorous marsupial, has heavy forequarters, weak hindquarters and a large square head. It looks like a fuzzy bear and weighs up to 12 kg (26 lb), is 50-80 cm (20-31 in) long and has a bushy tail about half that length. The coat is mainly black, with a white marking on the chest; sometimes the rump and wings are also distinguished in white. A floating jaw and strong teeth, as well as its hoarse roar and often its bad temper, lead to its devilish expression. It is mainly a scavenger, feeding on carrion such as roadkill and dead sheep.
Tasmanian devils are related to cats (Australian cat-like marsupials, also known as domestic cats); both are classified in the family Dasyuridae. The teeth and jaws of Tasmanian devils are as developed in many respects as the teeth and jaws of a hyena. The bursa opens backwards when relaxed, but when the muscle contracts to close, the opening is central. During the breeding season, 20 or more eggs may be released, but most do not develop. In most cases, only four chicks are born after a gestation period of about three weeks; these remain in the pouch for five months. Generally, females outnumber males about two to one.
Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)
Tasmanian devils are related to cats (Australian cat-like marsupials, also known as domestic cats); both are classified in the family Dasyuridae.
Drewfitzgibbon / Dreamstime.com
The Tasmanian devil became extinct on the Australian continent thousands of years ago, possibly after the introduction of the dingo. In 1996, it was estimated that over 150,000 Tasmanian devils lived in Tasmania. But between 1996 and 2007, this number declined by more than 50% and the adult population was estimated to be only 10,000 to 25,000.
Since 1996, Tasmanian devils living in Tasmania have been threatened by a contagious cancer called fetal facial tumour (FFTD), which produces large, often hideous tumours around the head and mouth. The tumours grow large enough to interfere with the animal's ability to eat, leading to starvation. This, combined with the adverse physiological effects of cancer, leads to death, usually within months of the disease developing. The origin and cause of the cancer is still debated; however, scientists assume that it is caused by a unique set of infectious cells derived from Tasmanian devils and that the cells are passed on when the animals bite each other, such as during mating fights or while foraging. The Tasmanian devil's immune system does not recognise cancer cells as foreign and therefore does not try to kill them. Quarantining healthy populations of Tasmanian devils, captive breeding programs and establishing healthy populations on neighbouring islands are several ways scientists hope to save the Tasmanian devil from extinction, and by 2020, Australian wildlife officials have begun the first phase of reintroducing the Tasmanian devil to the world. The Tasmanian devil was listed as an endangered species by Tasmanian government officials in May 2008.
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