Tasmanian Devils

The Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is a carnivorous marsupial mammal that is native to Tasmania. It is a member of the group of animals known as Dasyurids, which simply means the carnivorous marsupials.

Tasmanian devils have dozens of tiny bumps on the rather large pads of their feet which appear to act as gripping pads. The friction created by the pads gives them better contact with surfaces for running. It gives the animal better speed and agility when in pursuit of prey.

Younger, lighter Tasmanian devils use the pads to help them climb, but they are not arboreal (tree-dwelling) creatures. It is believed that, because young devils are sometimes prey of larger ones, climbing trees helps them to escape.

The Tasmanian devil is not extinct and so does not need to be brought back. They do, however, need to be safeguarded for the future.

Scientists are breeding Tasmanian Devils in captivity to limit the spread of the Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). This disease is a great threat to Tasmanian devils living in the wild, affecting some two-thirds of the population. The Australian Government now has initiatives and programs set up to preserve the species. Tasmanian devils are being housed in captive breeding programmes, which should prevent the extinction of the marsupial, but not necessarily in the wild. In January 2010, a team of international scientists pinpointed the genetic marker that predisposes Tasmanian devils towards this fatal disease. With this knowledge, there is now a better chance of a cure, which would also stop the disease decimating the wild Tasmanian devil population.

it looks bony

All tough its is illegal to harm the Tasmanian devil heaps are killed on the road each year, but the main problem is their tumours. They can get these tumours on their faces which can harm them and also kill them.

Yes. Tasmanian devils do have sharp claws. The Tasmanian devil uses its sharp claws for climbing trees, and for defence. Their courtship is also an extensive ritual that lasts many days, and which involves the male biting and scratching the female into submission.

Yes: a human could outrun a Tasmanian devil. However, one would not be in a position to need to. Tasmanian devils are not aggressive hunters of humans.

it looks bony

Males grow to about 650 mm and 9 kg, females grow to 570 mm and 7 kg.

Tasmanian devils are carnivorous marsupials of Australia. They are nocturnal hunters, but they also scavenge carrion. Although they are very shy and will not confront a person, they can be very aggressive with their own kind when defending food or territory. One of their effective defence mechanisms is to emit a foul smelling odour.

Tasmanian devils live by preying on small mammals and birds, and scavenging carrion. They are nocturnal feeders. They hide in dense undergrowth and bushland, or they hide in caves and old wombat burrows.

they are black

• The Tasmanian devil is nocturnal, and an animal that prefers dense bushland shelter. Therefore, it has a black coat with white stripe provides excellent camouflage in both the night, and in dense bushland and undergrowth.
• Tasmanian devils can emit a pungent odor as a defence mechanism when threatened.
• Tasmanian devils have very strong jaws which they use for ripping open their prey and feeding on carrion.

From about 1996, the Tasmanian Devil has been threatened by a fatal form of cancer called "Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD)" which has killed large numbers of Tasmanian devils, resulting in an "Endangered" classification. It was officially added to the Endangered species list early in 2009.

Devil: this could be someone who plays the bad part

Angel:this could be someome who plays a good part

No. Tasmanian devils are found only in Australia, on the island state of Tasmania. The Great Smoky Mountains are in the United States, not Tasmania.

The Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), a carnivorous marsupial native to Tasmania, was once widespread on the Australian mainland. It is thought that the arrival of the Dingo and possibly climate change at the end of the last ice age, may have contributed to its extinction on the mainland. The dingo proved to be a bigger, stronger competitor, and there is strong evidence that its presence wiped out the Tasmanian devil's relative, the Thylacine (or Tasmanian tiger) from the mainland so there is every chance it had the same effect on the Tasmanian devil. As for climate change - it possibly reduced the food sources for the Tasmanian devil. There remains more bushy undergrowth, and thick rainforest for the Tasmanian devil's food to hide in on the island of Tasmania.

No.

Tasmanian devils are protected by law, so it is illegal to have one as a pet.

They also would not make very good pets, as they are not affectionate or "cuddly", but would be more likely to cause you severe damage if you were to get in between the animal and its food.

Having said that, however, its reputation for being vicious and bad tempered is somewhat undeserved.

The Tasmanian Davil Facial Tumour Disease started with wild populations of Tasmanian devils in northeast Tasmania in 1996. It rapidly spread from there but, to date, wild populations in the western third of the state appear unaffected.

No. Tasmanian devils tend to be solitary animals.

Since the Thylacine, also known as the Tasmanian tiger, became extinct, the Tasmanian devil has had no other native competitors. However, since the fairly recent introduction of the fox, the fox has become a rival.