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Answered 2011-12-21 22:18:25
Tasmanian devils were over-hunted in the past, almost to the point of extinction. They are now protected by law, and it is therefore illegal to hunt them or harm them in any way.
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Why do Tasmanian devils scream?
Tasmanian devils scream and growl when they are fighting with another Tasmanian devil over food or territory.
Are Tasmanian devils territorial?
No. Despite being aggressive animals that fight for dominance when they are feeding on a carcass, making ferocious growls and screams as they feed, research has shown that Tasmanian devils are not actually territorial. If an animal is territorial, it will defend its home range. Tasmanian devils do have a home range, but they do not fight over their range, instead sharing overlapping areas with other Tasmanian devils as a communal latrine.
What are some good ''did you know'' questions about Tasmanian devils?
Did you know:Tasmanian devils belong to a group of marsupials known as "dasyurids", which are the carnivorous marsupials?Tasmanian devils are not only hunters, but also scavengers, and carrion-feeders?Tasmanian devils are subject to a disease known as Devil facial tumour Disease, or DFTD, which causes cancerous lesions over their face?Tasmanian devils gained their name of "devil" from the unearthly shrieking sounds they make as they fight over their food at night?Tasmanian devils can emit a pungent odor as a defence mechanism when threatened?
Do Tasmanian devils get along with other Tasmanian devils?
Tasmanian devils are solitary creatures and do not socialise with others of their species except for the purpose of reproduction. They are very territorial, however, and will fight over food. One of the reasons the Devil Facial Tumour Disease is such a problem is that it is transmitted by the Tasmanian devils biting each other.
What sort of personality does the Tasmanian devil have?
Tasmanian devils are shy and reclusive, but aggressive when fighting over food.
Are Tasmanian devils real?
Yes, Tasmanian Devils are real. They are carnivorous marsupials found only in the wild in Australia's southern island state of Tasmania, although they were once found over much of the Australian continent. Tasmanian devils are nothing like "Taz" on the cartoons.
When Tasmanian devils are alone do they survive?
Yes. Tasmanian devils are solitary creatures and do not socialise with others of their species except for the purpose of reproduction. They are very territorial, and will fight over food.
What are Tasmanian devils known for?
Tasmanian devils are known for being aggressive defenders of their food and territory, and for fighting with each other. Unfortunately, in the past decade or two, they have also become known for the DFTD - Devil Facial Tumour Disease - which leads to cancerous lesions over the Tasmanian devil's face, eventually causing death. Because Tasmanian devils fight with each other, they easily spread this disease between individuals.
How often does a Tasmanian devil reproduce?
Tasmanian devils reproduce just once a year. They tend to mate in March and give birth in April, but this time can extend over several months, with not all Tasmanian devils giving birth at the same time.
Who invented the Tasmanian devils?
Tasmanian devils were not "invented".The first people to have seen the Tasmanian devil would have been the Tasmanian Aboriginal people. The Tasmanian aboriginal word for the Tasmanian devil is purinina.If the question refers to how the animal gained its name, it was because of its tendency to emit blood-curdling screams during the night when fighting over food or territory. This name was assigned by Europeans.
Are Tasmanian devils native to Australia?
Yes. Tasmanian devils were once found over much of the Australian continent. Now, they a only found in the wild on the southern island state of Tasmania, which is indeed a part of Australia.
How many weeks do the baby Tasmanian devils have to stay in their mothers pouch for?
Female Tasmanian devils carry their young joeys for around 100 days, or just over three months. This equates to about fourteen weeks.
Tasmanian devils are apart of wombats niche?
No, they just take over the left home from wombats
How long has the Tasmanian Devils existed?
The Tasmanian devil is thought to have been around for over 10 million years. They are only found on the island of Tasmania.
Is a Tasmanian devil's temperament good or bad?
The Tasmanian devil's temperament is neither 'good' nor 'bad'. Tasmanian devils are shy and reclusive, and they are aggressive when fighting over food. They pose no danger to humans, but small mammals, birds and reptiles will be in danger of being eaten if there is a Tasmanian devil around. This is neither 'good' nor 'bad'; just a matter of survival for the Tasmanian devil.
When do Tasmanian Devils come out?
Tasmanian devils are nocturnal, meaning they only come out at night time. This is partly how they earned their European name of Tasmanian Devil - at night, while fighting over food, they will emit the most frightening and unearthly screams, sounding just like the early Europeans imagined the devil would sound.
How long have tasminen develsn been around?
Many scientists believe that Tasmanian devils have been around for over 3,000 years. The Tasmanian devil is an animal that is found in the wild in Australia.
Do Tasmanian Devils carry their babies in a pouch?
Yes. Tasmanian devils are marsupials, and the females have a pouch in which the young are carried for around 100 days, or just over three months. The pouch faces backwards, like that of the wombat, so it does not get filled with dirt while the animal is digging.
What is the Tasmanian devil's social behavior?
Tasmanian devils are solitary creatures and highly territorial. They gained their name from the nightmarish screams they make when fighting over territory or food, and they do not share their kills or whatever they scavenge.
How did the Tasmanian devils get that name?
There are several theories for the Tasmanian Devil's name:The main belief is that the Tasmanian Devil got its name because of its blood-curdling nocturnal screams and devil-like growls.When stressed, this animal emits a foul odour that rivals the smell of a skunk. This most often happens around humans. It is said to reek of death, which could be another reason why the Tasmanian Devil is so called.It is natural for Tasmanian Devils to fight over carrion. It could be said that they "fight like the devil".
How many Tasmanian Devils are in Australia?
Tasmanian devils are only found in the wild in the Australian island state of Tasmania. They are no longer found on the mainland continent, except in captive breeding programmes.Numbers of the Tasmanian devil in the wild are dropping rapidly. According to Australia's Department of Primary Industries, data from December 2006 gives an estimate of the Tasmanian Devil's population at only 20,000 - 50,000 mature Tasmanian Devils. However, it is very hard to accurately determine numbers. Sightings have dropped by around 64%. The most recent estimate from June 2011 is that numbers across Tasmania are around 40,000, down from 100,000 prior to the outbreak of the devastating Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). Some sources suggest the figure is as low as 17,000.There are three major problems the Tasmanian Devil faces:Devil Facial Tumour DiseaseRecent introduction of the red fox into TasmaniaRoadkill - which accounts for an estimated 2000 deaths of Tasmanian Devils every yearBecause of the impact of the DFTD, scientists have begun a captive breeding programme of Tasmanian devils. This involves taking healthy individuals from Tasmania and breeding them in special "wild" enclosures on the mainland. Figures for captive Tasmanian devils indicate that there are several hundred more Tasmanian devils in 18 zoos and sanctuaries across Australia. Captive breeding programmes in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales have seen considerable success. Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria, alone, has managed to maintain a Tasmanian devil population of around 120 over the past decade, meaning that new joeys are being successfully bred. The aim, ultimately, is to keep a steady population of some 500 Tasmanian devils in captive breeding, releasing healthy individuals into the wild.
What is the main reason for animals being endangered?
If their habitat is being taken over If they are being hunted
How many Tasmanian Devils are left?
Numbers of the Tasmanian devil in the wild are dropping rapidly. According to Australia's Department of Primary Industries, data from December 2006 gives an estimate of the Tasmanian Devil's population at only 20,000 - 50,000 mature Tasmanian Devils. However, it is very hard to accurately determine numbers. Sightings have dropped by around 64%. The most recent estimate from June 2011 is that numbers across Tasmania are around 40,000, down from 100,000 prior to the outbreak of the devastating Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). Some sources suggest the figure is as low as 17,000. As of May 2009, the Tasmanian devil was listed as an "endangered" species. Because of the impact of the DFTD, scientists have begun a captive breeding programme of Tasmanian devils. This involves taking healthy individuals from Tasmania and breeding them in special "wild" enclosures on the mainland. Figures for captive Tasmanian devils indicate that there are several hundred more Tasmanian devils in 18 zoos and sanctuaries across Australia. Captive breeding programmes in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales have seen considerable success. Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria, alone, has managed to maintain a Tasmanian devil population of around 120 over the past decade, meaning that new joeys are being successfully bred. The aim, ultimately, is to keep a steady population of some 500 Tasmanian devils in captive breeding, releasing healthy individuals into the wild.
Do Tasmanian devils screech?
Yes and no: Tasmanian devils get their name from the blood-curdling screeching sounds they make when fighting over food and territory. However, it is not a high-pitched screech, but a loud, deep, throaty sound which is quite chilling in the middle of the night. Click on the related link, and the "vocalisation" to hear the sound. (The link does not always work.)
What is a Tasmanian devil's behavior?
Tasmanian devils are nocturnal feeders, and shy of human contact. They are solitary creatures and highly territorial. They gained their name from the nightmarish screams they make when fighting over territory or food, and they do not share their kills or whatever they scavenge.
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