Tasmanian Devil ( Sarcophilus harrisii )

The largest living marsupial carnivore, the Tasmanian devil is the size of a small, stoutly-built dog. Ideal for their role as Australia's only specialized mammalian scavenger, devils have a massive head with powerful jaws and strong teeth. Indeed, their scientific name means flesh ( Sarco -) lover (- philus ). Males at 9 kg are larger than females 7 kg; occasionally, males can reach a massive 12 kg. Their jet black fur, unusual for marsupials, is usually marked with white on the chest and sometimes on the rump. While their black colour, pink ears that flush purple when they are agitated, and their blood-curdling nocturnal screams probably earnt them their common name, their true nature, wary though somewhat belligerent, belies their reputation.

Once occurring across the Australian mainland, devils disappeared there after the arrival of the dingo. They are now restricted to Tasmania (Bass Strait prevented dingoes from getting to Tasmania). Devils used to reach highest abundances in the dry eucalypt forests and woodlands in northern Tasmania but are found in lower numbers all over the island state. Population numbers have fluctuated in the past but it now seems to be in dramatic decline across much of their range due to the alarming spread of a little understood Devil FacialTumour Disease (DFTD). This disease is new, unusual and consistently fatal. (More information about DFTD here and from the ABC Science Show .

Devils emerge from their underground burrows after dark to hunt, moving a steady 8 km a night with a characteristic loping gait. They forage in dense vegetation but use tracks for more direct travel. Capable of climbing trees, young devils particularly catch sleeping birds and eat possums. Most of the diet of adult devils, however, is made up of wallabies, pademelons and wombats, which are killed with a tenacious and powerful bite to the head or chest. With their supreme sense of smell, devils find and scavenge any dead animals, from beached fish to cows. As specialized scavengers, all parts of a carcass are consumed, except the largest bones. Large carcasses allow several devils to feed together, a noisy affair accompanied by much jostling and ritualized displays of mouthfuls of large teeth. Interactions with other devils are accompanied by a range of vocalisations, from soft barks and snorts to monotone growling, which escalates to screams.

While social interactions are frequent in feeding aggregations, devils are usually solitary. They use several dens in their home range, an area of 8-20 square kilometres which they share with other individuals. The sexes come together for a short but intense mating season in March during which time they do not eat. Births occur three weeks later. Females carry up to four young in a backwards-facing pouch until August, when they are deposited in a grass-lined den. Young are weaned and independent by February.

The characteristic square footprints of the devil and greyish droppings containing fur and bones may be seen anywhere in the Tasmanian bush. There is a still slim chance of seeing the devils themselves by driving along quiet roads at night, but with the ravages of DFT disease their numbers are low in their old stomping grounds of Mount William, Narawntapu (Asbestos Range) and Cradle Mountain National Parks.

Prepared by Dr Menna Jones
Honorary Research Associate
School of Zoology, University of Tasmania

Further information (Tasmanian Dept of Primary Industries and Water (DPIW))