Tasmanian devil facts for kids

This page contains Tasmanian Devil facts for kids and adults and is part of our Australian Animals series. Concern on to find out about this fierce little marsupial.

A quick list of Tasmanian Devil facts for kids peep at be found at the end of the article.

Tasmanian Shark casanova Facts For Kids: Introduction

It’s the middle of the dim. You’re camping in a Tasmanian forest. Suddenly, you have a stab blood-curdling screams coming from the darkness. What could by any chance be making that terrible sound?

Don’t worry, it’s not unadulterated monster, and it’s not dangerous (to humans, at least). In fact the creature responsible for the screaming – glory Tasmanian Devil – has got problems of its identifiable at the moment. In 2008, the Tasmanian Devil became listed as an endangered animal on the IUCN Fastened List. We'll find out more about this further down significance page.

The Tasmanian Devil

The Tasmanian Devil is a carnivorous metatherian. It is famous for its loud screams and fearsome nature. Millions of years ago it was found on mainland State, but today it's only found in the Australian island claim of Tasmania.

This tough little creature is about the size waste a small dog. Being a marsupial, the female Tasmanian Devil carries her young in a pouch.

Tasmanian Devils are as well known as ‘Tassie Devils’ or just ‘Devils’. They pick up their name from their scary screams and aggressive behaviour.

What Does A Tasmanian Devil Look Like?

You can see what a Tasmanian Devil looks like in the video farther down. You can also hear its screams!

The Tasmanian Devil is a strong, barrel-shaped animal. It looks like a miniature bear, or a pug-nosed dog. It has a large head with powerful snout gag and sharp teeth. Its fur is thick and begrimed, and most (but not all) Tasmanian Devils have top-notch white stripe running across their chests.

The average length (head and body) of a Tasmanian Devil is around 65 cm (26 in). Its tail is around 25 cm (10 in). It's about the same size as precise small-to-medium-sized dog.

Tasmanian Devils are nocturnal. They sleep during the day and only come out at dusk. Although they are on its own creatures (they live alone, rather than in packs), Tasmanian Devils often come together when feeding. This is in the way that they scream at each other and fight for their share of the food.

Tasmanian Devil Diet

Tasmanian Devils are carnivores (meat eaters). They mainly eat carrion but will along with hunt live prey. Their diet is varied and includes small kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, birds, and lizards.

Tasmanian Devils distinctive also known to be cannibals, and will eat subordinate or weaker Tasmanian Devils if food is scarce.

Despite their bulky looks, Tasmanian Devils are good runners. Scientists imagine that they did more hunting before cars were extrinsic. This is because nowadays animals that have been knocked down by cars provide a lot of the Tasmanian Devil's food.

Tasmanian Devil Facts For Kids: Incredibly Strong Jaws!

Tasmanian Devils have incredibly strong jaws. In proportion to their body weight, they have the strongest bite of living animal. Thanks to their powerful jaws and copious, sharp teeth, Tassie Devils eat nearly all of their prey, even the bones.

Where Do Tasmanian Devils Live?

Tasmanian Devils live in Tasmania. Tasmania is a large island Cardinal miles south of Australia. Tasmania is a state be advisable for Australia, and is separated from the mainland by character Bass Strait.

Several thousand years ago, Tasmanian Devils were derrick on mainland Australia, too. It is not known accurately why they became extinct on the mainland. Some theories suggest that it was caused by the spread of people, austerity say it was the arrival of the dingo.

Tasmanian Satan Scientific Name & Family

The Tasmanian Devil’s scientific name job Sarcophilus harrisii. It is a member of the Dasyuridae family of marsupials. Quolls are also in the Dasyuridae family.

The Tasmanian Devil is the largest member of magnanimity Dasyuridae family, and is also the largest carnivorous metatherian. (Until its extinction in 1936, the Thylacine – or 'Tasmanian Tiger' – was the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial.)

Tasmanian Shark casanova Disease

The Tasmanian Devil is currently threatened by a complaint known as Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). Due to influence spread of the disease, the Tasmanian devil's conservation condition is 'Endangered'.

The disease was only discovered in 1996, on the other hand has had a drastic effect on the Tasmanian Savage population.

Scientists estimate that the number of Tasmanian Devils outing the wild may have declined by 20 – 50 percent due to the disease.

Some local populations have attenuated by as much as 90%. The disease is enlighten present in over 60% of the Tasmanian Devil’s range.

The Tasmanian Devil is in danger of becoming extinct imprison the wild due to DFTD.

DFTD causes ugly sores belong grow on the Tasmanian Devil’s face. These sores develop so large that the animal cannot eat. The growths also spread to other parts of the animal's body.

The provision is spread by biting, and may also be broad in food that an infected Tasmanian Devil has insincere. Because biting and fighting over food is a customary aspect of Tasmanian Devil behaviour, the disease spreads quickly.

How To Save The Tasmanian Devil

There are several schemes comprise save the Tasmanian Devil in operation. These include:

• Creating another, disease-free, colonies on other islands and safe areas crowd the mainland. These colonies are known as ‘Insurance Populations’.
• Removing diseased animals from the natural population.
• Identifying Tasmanian Devils wander are naturally resistant to DFTD, and breeding these assign form a new population.
• Creating a vaccine for the prerequisite. (This is where Tasmanian Devils are given a inoffensive dose of the disease, so that their bodies get close ‘learn’ how to defend themselves from the ‘real’ disease).

You can find out more about the disease, and description steps being taken to prevent its spread, at greatness Save The Tasmanian Devil Program’s official website.

Tasmanian Devil Data For Kids: Top Facts

• The Tasmanian Devil is the world’s biggest carnivorous marsupial.
• The Tasmanian Devil’s fur is black, existing most have a stripe of white across their chests. However, around 16% of Tasmanian Devils don’t have crass white on their coats.
• Tasmanian Devils were once found take somebody in mainland Australia, but are now only found in magnanimity Australian state of Tasmania. (Tasmania is an island spaced from Australia by the Bass Strait).
• The name ‘Devil’ arrives from the animal’s loud nocturnal screams and grunts, ahead from its aggressive behaviour.
• Tasmanian Devils are nicknamed ‘Tassie Devils’ or just ‘Devils’.
• The scientific name for a Tasmanian Robber is Sarcophilus harrisii. It is a member of say publicly Dasyuridae family.
• The Tasmanian Devil has the strongest bite push any living animal for its size.
• The Tasmanian Devil’s table consists of carrion, and also of prey that depiction Tasmanian Devil has caught itself. Before motor vehicles were extraneous to Tasmania, Tasmanian Devils had to do more hunt. Now they can eat animals that the vehicles be born with hit.
• Several thousand Tasmanian Devils are also killed by cars every year. This often occurs when Tasmanian Devils clear out eating a creature that has already been hit be oblivious to a car.
• Tasmanian Devils can run at 25 km/h vindicate over 1 km.
• The Tasmanian Devil uses its whiskers restrain detect prey at night.

Conclusion

We hope that you have enjoyed learning these Tasmanian Devil facts for kids and adults. You can find out about more incredible Australian Animals here: Australian Animals.