The Tasmanian devil is a carnivorous marsupial found in the wild only on the Australian island of Tasmania, the largest surviving carnivorous marsupial species since the extinction of the thylacine. It has a stocky, muscular build, black fur often marked with white patches, and an unusually powerful bite for its size, allowing it to crush bone while scavenging carcasses, though it also actively hunts smaller prey. Tasmanian devils are mostly solitary and nocturnal, and they are famous for the fierce screeching, growling displays and biting that occur when several individuals feed together at a carcass. A contagious facial tumor disease first observed in the 1990s has devastated wild populations, and the species is classified as endangered.
Facts
Classification
DietDetritivore or Scavenger 1 System (Realm) Relationship to PeopleAgricultural or Structural Pest 3 Living or ExtinctDerived from this species' own Conservation Status: this atlas's IUCN category list has no Extinct value, so a set conservation-status is itself evidence of living status. Scientific Name Conservation Status Population Estimate2008 estimate range 10,000-15,000 remaining in the wild; recorded at the low end of the range. Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceStocky, muscular build with black fur often marked by irregular white patches on the chest and rump, a large head and neck, and a pungent odor; known for an extremely loud screech and ferocity while feeding. 1 Comparison
CITES Appendix Connections
Child Taxon Of
In Biome
In Ecosystem
Source Wikidata: Tasmanian Devil
Additional Source Tasmanian Devil (Wikipedia)Article text
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Tasmanian Devil (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead section, first sentence
The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii; palawa kani: purinina) is a carnivorous marsupial of the family Dasyuridae.
Conservation status, Population declines section
The IUCN classified the Tasmanian devil in the lower risk/least concern category in 1996, but in 2009 they reclassified it as endangered.
Conservation status, Population declines section, decline estimate
Experts estimate that the devil has suffered a more than 80% decline in its population since the mid-1990s and that only around 10,000-15,000 remain in the wild as of 2008.
Lead section, third sentence
It is characterised by its stocky and muscular build, black fur, pungent odour, extremely loud screech, keen sense of smell, and ferocity when feeding.
system (entity description states it plainly, diet)
It has a stocky, muscular build, black fur often marked with white patches, and an unusually powerful bite for its size, allowing it to crush bone while scavenging carcasses, though it also actively hunts smaller prey.
In Ecosystem: Heath, Article text
Although they are not found at the highest altitudes of Tasmania, and their population density is low in the button grass plains in the south-west of the state, their population is high in dry or mixed sclerophyll forests and coastal heaths.
View the Source 2. GBIF Species API
3. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Sarcophilus harrisii (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyEconomic Importance for Humans: Negative
they have been known to kill poultry
Conservation Status: CITES
CITES No special status
View the Source Wikidata: Tasmanian Devil
- Wikidata Q134964, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
- In Biome: River, Introduction
View the SourceCatalogue of Life
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of LifeChild Taxon Of: MammaliaView the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.