The Tasmanian Devil(Sarcophilus harrisii) is a carnivorous marsupial that lives in Australia. The Tasmanian Devil is classified in order Dasyuromorphia and family Dasyuridae.
Physical Characteristics
The Tasmanian Devil is black; some individuals may have white patches on their body. The front legs are slightly longer than the hind legs. Tasmanian Devils weigh 9 kilograms(20 pounds) on average, the average body length is 62 centimeters(2 feet, 0.4 inches) and the tail averages 25 centimeters(9.8 inches) long.
| Genus | Sarcophilus |
| Species | harrisii |
| Binomial Name | Sarcophilus harrisii |
| Length | 50-78 cm(1’7.7”-2’6.7”) |
| Weight | 6-14 kg(13.23-30.9 lbs.) |
| Tail Length | 24-26 cm(9.45”-10.24”) |
| IUCN Status | Endangered |
Range And Habitat
The Tasmanian Devil lives throughout all the habitats of Tasmania, Australia. .
Breeding
A mother Tasmanian Devil can give birth to up to 50 babies at a time; the gestation period is 21 days. There are only 4 nipples in the mother’s pouch so the offspring must use their claws to race from the birth canal to the mother’s rear-facing pouch, this is why only four babies will survive. The babies are born hairless and pink and will stay in the pouch for approximately 4 months. Tasmanian Devils are fully grown at 2 years old.
Diet
The Tasmanian Devil eats primarily carrion, but will also eat small kangaroos, wombats, wallabies, domestic animals, birds, fish, fruit, insects, amphibians, and reptiles.
Predators
Tasmanian Devils are often attacked by domestic dogs and foxes.
Fun Facts
- Baby Tasmanian Devils are known as; joeys, pups, or imps.
- The San Diego Zoo is one of only a few zoos in the United States that cares for Tasmanian Devils.
- A Tasmanian Devil is one of the animated characters which appears in Warner Brothers’ Looney Toons.
- The Tasmanian Devil can live for up to 8 years.
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