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Tasmanian devils

Published: 16/02/2010

History | Description | Distribution | Status |Habitat | Breeding | Diet | Behaviour | FAQs

The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) cannot be mistaken for any other marsupial. Its spine-chilling screeches, black colour, and reputed bad-temper, led the early European settlers to call it The Devil. Although only the size of a small dog, it can sound and look incredibly fierce.

Have a listen to a typical vocalisation of the Tasmanian devil and you will see what we mean!

Tasmanian devils with large facial tumours were photographed in north-east Tasmania during 1996. A decade later, we know these characteristics are consistent with Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). The Tasmanian devil has been listed as Endangered by the Federal and State governments, as well as the Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). The Tasmanian devil is now wholly protected. See Status for more information.

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	Status The Tasmanian devil is listed as Endangered under Tasmania's Threatened Species Protection Act. The Devil Facial Tumour Disease was gazetted in 2006 under the Animal Health Act as a List B notifiable disease. read more... Published: 03/08/2011
	About Tasmanian devils Includes history, description, habitat, breeding, diet and behavioural information. read more... Published: 03/08/2011
	Devil tales We have a history with Tasmanian devils. We've shared the landscape for a long time. This page is about telling the stories behind that history and keeping those stories alive. read more... Published: 23/02/2011
	Movies Tasmanian devil home movies read more... Published: 25/03/2010
	Tasmania Tasmania read more... Published: 16/02/2010