Tasmanian Devils

Tasmanian Devils are fascinating creatures that few people know much about or have even heard of. They are the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world, at up to twenty six pounds and thirty inches in length (Park and Wildlife Service). They are always brown with white streaks on the chests, and have extremely powerful jaws. Tasmanian Devils are reclusive creatures; they live alone and are nocturnal. They are extremely fierce, and when they meet Tasmanian Devils often fight. Tasmanian Devils are often considered the marsupial equivalent of hyenas because of the two species' physical similarities and high intelligence.

Tasmanian Devils live solely on the island of Tasmania, though they once were indigenous to Australia. Unfortunately, they were eradicated there long ago. Devils live mainly in scrubland and forest habitats. The Tasmanian Devil is carnivorous, and eats a wide variety of food. They feed mostly on snakes, fish, beetle larvae, birds, and carrion. Often they leave nothing behind from their meal, even eating fur and bones. Tasmanian Devils often fight each other when they congregate around large carcasses. In fact, they received their name because of the 'devilish' sounds they make when eating- sounds made in order to assert dominance over other Devils.

Even parenthood is violent for these unusual creatures. When they mate, Tasmanian Devils bite each other on the face and neck. After the gestation period, the mother gives birth to at least twenty or thirty young at once, according to National Geographic. However, only the strongest and toughest babies survive because the mother only has four nipples. The babies stay in the pouch for their first for months of life, and after eight months they separate from their mother.

Tasmanian Devils are rare creatures; in fact, their status is vulnerable. One reason is because they have been completely wiped out in Australia. Farmers believed that devils killed their stock; however, later this claim was proved false. After that Tasmanian Devils became a protected species, but by that time they were completely wiped out in Australia. In more recent years, an illness called devil facial contagious cancer was discovered. This deadly disease is severely decimating the Tasmanian Devil population. This cancer forms large lumps on the Devil's head, causing difficulties in eating, which eventually results in the animal's starvation. This cancer spreads through cuts on Tasmanian Devils' faces and necks; it has proved to be extremely contagious because Devils bite each other so much when eating and mating. Scientists are doing everything possible to stop the further spread of this disease, but unfortunately this is proving very difficult to do. This disease threatens to wipe out the entire population of wild Tasmanian Devils.

Park and Wildlife Service: http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=387

National Geographic: http://animals.nationalgeographic.co.in/animals/mammals/tasmanian-devil.html