Tasmanian Devil

Australia is full of iconic animals such as Tasmanian devils.

Tasmanian devils are small nocturnal animals that are marsupials native to Australia, and they are now found solely in Tasmania.
The scientific name of a Tasmanian devil is Sarcophilus harrisii, and it is from the family Dasyuridae, a family of mostly Australian marsupials.
As the largest extant marsupials that eat meat since the extinction of thylacines, the length of Tasmanian devils ranges from 57 to 65 centimetres (22 to 26 inches) and they weigh 6 to 8 kilograms (13 to 18 pounds).
Despite its relatively small size, the clamping of a Tasmanian devil’s jaw produces forces of up to 533 newtons, which is useful for bone crushing and is enough to snap wire made from thick metal, and the jaw is able to open at 75 to 80 degree angle.
Tasmanian devils have tails that are particularly thick, mainly due to storing fat, and an animal in good health will have a fatter tail; and the tail is useful for balance and also contains a scent gland.

The fur of Tasmanian devils ranges from a dark grey, brown to a black colour, and they generally have a white strip across the underside of there neck.
A Tasmanian devil’s diet consists of a variety of animals including rodents, birds, rabbits, wombats, some livestock, insects and already dead animals, and they generally live alone and have an average lifespan of five to eight years.
It is believed that Tasmanian devils became extinct on mainland Australia thousands of years ago, and the current population in Tasmania is listed as endangered and is decreasing, due to hunting, habitat loss and disease.
It is a common myth that Tasmanian devils attack people on a regular basis, however, in reality they are generally quite fearful and passive, although biting may occur as a last resort.
Numerous young are produced by a female Tasmanian devil at a single time, however, only two to four infants survive and live in their mother’s pouch for approximately four months.

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