Tasmanian Devil

Tasmanian Devil at a glance

Need to know

• The Tasmanian devil is the world’s largest surviving carnivorous marsupial.
• It produces a famously loud, screeching scream and aggressive displays.
• Population plummeted due to a contagious cancer known as Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD).
• It has one of the most powerful bites (relative to size) among all mammals.
• Tasmanian devils are now found only on the Australian island of Tasmania.
• Their scavenging helps keep the Tasmanian ecosystem clean of carcasses.

About the Tasmanian Devil

The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is an iconic marsupial carnivore now found solely on the island of Tasmania, Australia. It is known for its jet-black fur, stocky build, and extremely loud, guttural screams when threatened or feeding. The devil once inhabited mainland Australia, but has been extinct there for roughly 400 years, now surviving only in Tasmania’s forests, woodlands, and coastal scrublands.

Tasmanian devils play a critical role as the largest mammalian scavenger on the island, consuming carcasses and preventing the spread of disease. Their population has dramatically declined since the mid-1990s, primarily due to a unique transmissible cancer called Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD), which has wiped out more than 80% of the wild population. Conservation efforts are now focused on halting the disease’s spread and securing insurance populations for future reintroduction.

Physical characteristics

Size: 52–80 cm (head-body length). Weight: 6–14 kg (male); 4–9 kg (female). Lifespan: 5 years (average in the wild; up to 8 years in captivity).

• Robust, muscular body with short legs
• Sparse, coarse black fur with white chest blaze or rump patches
• Very large head with oversized jaw muscles
• Short, thick, non-prehensile tail
• Pinkish snout with prominent whiskers

Notable species

• Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) — Endangered. Prefers dry sclerophyll forests, woodlands, and coastal scrublands in Tasmania Regions: Tasmania, Forest regions of Tasmania, Coastal scrublands of Tasmania, Eastern Tasmania, Northwest Tasmania.

Habitat and range

Original range: Tasmania and formerly mainland Australia

Current distribution: Now restricted to Tasmania, both wild and insurance captive populations are managed across Australia and globally

Preferred environments: dry sclerophyll forest, rainforest edges, coastal scrublands, woodlands, agricultural fringe zones

Regions: Tasmania, Eastern Tasmania, Coastal Tasmania, Central Highlands Tasmania, North West Tasmania

Where to see Tasmanian Devil

• Narawntapu National Park, Tasmania — Dusk and dawn (year-round). Look for devils scavenging near forest edges or roads, especially after dark
• Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park — Evening twilight. Visitor centers offer night tours for devil sightings
• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary — Anytime - captive viewing. Safe opportunity to see devils up close and learn about conservation

Behavior and diet

Diet: Opportunistic carnivore and scavenger; eats carrion, small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.

Social structure: Primarily solitary, but will gather in groups (up to 12) to feed on large carcasses (‘feeding frenzy’).

Communication: Variety of loud shrieks, growls, coughs, and sneezes; also uses scent-marking and physical gestures like gape-yawning displays.

• Fierce, noisy competition at feeding sites
• Yawn threat display revealing large teeth
• Stores fat reserves in their tail
• Burrows or dens in hollow logs, caves, or underground

Interactions with other animals

• Wedge-tailed Eagle (competitive): Competes for carrion; devils eat carcasses rapidly to avoid losing food to large scavenging birds.
• Eastern Quoll (competitive): Shares scavenging territory and food resources, but devils outcompete and sometimes prey on quolls.
• Human (domestic dog/car vehicle) (threat/predator): Roadkill and dog attacks are significant sources of mortality for devils.

Conservation

IUCN Red List status: Endangered

Threats

• Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD)
• Roadkill from vehicle collisions
• Habitat loss and fragmentation
• Predation or attack by dogs and introduced species
• Reduced genetic diversity and inbreeding

Conservation efforts

• Captive breeding and ‘insurance’ populations on mainland Australia
• Field trials of disease-resistant individuals
• Protected areas and habitat corridors
• Vaccination and treatment research for DFTD
• Public education and roadkill mitigation

How to help

• Support reputable devil conservation organizations
• Drive slowly on Tasmanian roads at night
• Never feed or approach wild devils to reduce disease risk
• Advocate for habitat protection and research funding
• Participate in public awareness campaigns

Tasmanian Devil facts for kids

Tasmanian devils are fierce-looking, noisy marsupials from Tasmania. They have strong jaws, eat almost anything, and make high-pitched screeches when excited! Their numbers are shrinking, so people are working hard to help them survive.

• Tasmanian devils are about the size of a small dog.
• They are the loudest marsupials in the world!
• Young devils, called joeys, ride in their mother’s pouch.
• They can eat up to half their body weight in one meal.
• Their tails get thicker when they are healthy because they store fat there.

Did you know? Tasmanian devils have such powerful jaws that they can crunch through bones and even eat fur and teeth!

Watch & learn

• Tasmanian Devils: Night Stalkers of Tasmania — BBC Earth. A detailed look at the nocturnal behavior and unique adaptations of the Tasmanian Devil in its native habitat, featuring exclusive BBC footage and scientific insights.
• Australia's Ferocious Marsupial: The Tasmanian Devil Uncovered — National Geographic Wild. Explore the life cycle, feeding habits, and conservation challenges of Sarcophilus harrisii in this gripping segment, showcasing high-quality footage from National Geographic Wild.
• Saving the Tasmanian Devil: Battle Against Extinction — Smithsonian Channel. A compelling investigation into the efforts to protect Tasmanian Devils from deadly diseases and habitat loss, featuring conservationists and unique research footage.
• Devil's Playground: Inside the Life of the Tasmanian Devil — PBS Nature. This in-depth episode follows the dramatic struggles and survival strategies of Tasmanian Devils, blending science and breathtaking wildlife cinematography.
• Tasmanian Devil: Secrets of the Marsupial Carnivore — Australian Geographic. Experience intimate moments of hunting, breeding, and interaction among Tasmanian Devils, as well as the distinct vocalizations that gave them their name.