Where are they found?
What do they eat?
Devil in the detail

The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) was given its common name by early European settlers, who were haunted at night by the sound of its spine-chilling screeches and demonic growls.

The largest of the living marsupial carnivores (and Australia's only specialised mammalian scavenger), the Tasmanian devil resembles a robustly-built, small dog with powerful jaws and a set of large, strong teeth.

Its head is broad, its tail is thick, and its coarse, black fur often has irregular-shaped white blazes across the chest, shoulders and rump.

Despite its name, appearance and reputation, the Tasmanian devil is actually a shy, wary creature. As for the reputed bad temper it's mostly bluff. Since many individuals can feed simultaneously on a large carcass, a feisty display is an attempt to intimidate others and thus avoid a fight.

Today the Tasmanian devil is found only in the wild in Tasmania. It is wholly protected, and a State icon.

It was once widespread over the Australian mainland, but disappeared there after the arrival of the dingo, which was introduced by Aboriginal people but prevented from entering Tasmania by the 240km-wide Bass Strait.

The Tasmanian devil can be found in all major habitat types in Tasmania, particularly dry eucalypt forests, woodlands and agricultural areas - in fact, almost anywhere they can shelter by day and scavenge for food at night.

Population numbers across Tasmania have been variable over the past century but were at historic highs about 10 years ago. These numbers have dropped dramatically since the 1996 identification of Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) - a new, unusual and fatal condition in Tasmanian devils, characterised by cancers around the mouth and head.

Tasmanian devils eat any meat that is available. This includes insects, birds and beached fish. But their favourites are small mammals, such as possums, wallabies and wombats.

While they can hunt small prey (they pounce and bite at the head or chest) they are also efficient, opportunistic and solitary scavengers that rapidly locate dead animals in the bush. Their massive jaw muscles and strong teeth allow them to eat almost every part of the carcass, including the hide and the skull.

• The Latin name for the Tasmanian devil is Sarcophilus harrisii. Sarco means flesh; philus means lover; and Harris is the name of the man who described them in scientific terms.
• Healthy Tasmanian devils in the wild live up to five years, although in captivity they may live slightly longer.
• A typical adult male weighs between 10 - 12kg, while the female is slightly smaller at 6 - 8kg. Adult size is reached at three years of age.
• Tasmanian devils run with an awkward loping gait, covering around 8km a night (although individuals have occasionally been observed to move up to 50km in a single night). The species is not territorial. Each individual can occupy a home range of 8 - 20 square kilometres that may overlap extensively with others and would include several different dens.
• Most devils mate during a short but intense season in March, however breeding can continue until July. Births occur three weeks later. Four young stay in the backward-opening pouch for five months, after which the fully-furred young are left in the grass-lined den. They start to roam from the den about six months after birth and are fully weaned and independent by 10 months after birth.
• Tasmanian devils are not dangerous to people, although they will attempt to defend themselves if attacked. Despite their spectacular and aggressive outbursts, Tasmanian devils are actually timid animals with a preference for avoiding fights.

• Want to know more?
  For further information on the Tasmanian devil, visit the website of the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries and Water at: www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/tasmaniandevil
  A Tasmanian Devil Information Database is also available on the same website.
• Tasmanian devil movies
  The largest living marsupial carnivore, the Tasmanian devil is the size of a small, stoutly-built dog. Their massive heads and powerful jaws make them ideal for their role as Australia's only specialised mammalian scavenger.
  View a short movie showing close-ups of the Tasmanian devil.
  View a longer movie on the Tasmanian devil and the race to prevent its extinction.
• Spine-chilling screeches
  The Tasmanian devil earned its common name because of its blood-curdling nocturnal screams. Have a listen to a typical vocalization of the devil and you will understand why.
• Slow down!
  In an attempt to cut the number of devils lost to roadkill, warning signs for motorists to drive 45km/h from dusk to dawn have been placed on Southern Tasmania’s Forestier Peninsula, between Dunalley and Eaglehawk neck.
  
  In 2006, roadkill claimed one quarter of all the Tasmanian devils known that died in this area. It’s a distressing statistic for any region, but particularly since the Peninsula is the site of the Tasman Disease Suppression Trial – a management program which is trying to eradicate the Devil Disease from the isolated peninsula’s wild population.
  
  ‘As the devil population dwindles, roadkill becomes so much more significant,’ said Chrissy Pukk, scientific officer with the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program. ‘We’re heading towards a time when every animal is very valuable, so the folly of roadkill is silly.
  
  ‘We should be driving according to the conditions – and here in Tasmania, the conditions are abundant wildlife. Let’s drive accordingly.’ The Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources produced the signs, placing them along the Arthur Highway in January, 2008.
  
• Roadkill remains a major issue
  Roadkill continues to be a major issue for depleted Tasmanian devil populations, a recent trial on the Forestier Peninsula has indicated. In November 2007, eight hand-reared orphan devils were released with radio collars by Dr Menna Jones, Wildlife Management Officer with the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, and scientific officer Chrissy Pukk.
  
  These orphans were the pouch young of diseased mothers, hand-raised by volunteer carers. When they became too big to be cared for at home, the devils were then transferred to a purpose-built enclosure at the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park (Taranna).
  
  Within four months of their release, three of the orphans were roadkilled. Two more had disappeared (presumed dead), and only three have survived to this date.
  
  As at May 2008, a second controlled trial on the peninsula had begun, using hand-reared orphans that were collected in 2007. Nine had been already been released, with two to go. We wish them the best of luck - and you can help by driving slow at night on the Forestier peninsula Part of this trial includes a daily road kill run. We have had shocking results - 13 known Tasmanian devils had been roadkilled in an 18 km stretch of road within the first four months of 2008!