The Tasmanian Devil is the worlds largest surviving carnivorous marsupial and is unique to the small Australian Island state of Tasmania. Fossils found on mainland Australia indicates that Devils once populated all of Australia but evidence shows that they became extinct about 600 years ago. It is unknown the exact cause of the extinction, there are theories that the change in climate and a loss of habitat may have played a role and as the species started to die off the Dingo may have been responsible for its eventual demise.

The Devil's diet consists of mainly carrion (rotting meat) of both vertebrate and invertebrate. They are also known to exhibit predatory behavour. They may raid dens preying on baby Quolls or even Devils, sick small animals may fall victim to the Devil and sick and dying livestock may also be feasted upon. Devils on the whole are mainly scavengers, 'vacuum cleaners of the bush' who play a vital role in the control of disease and blow flies by consuming dead carcasses.

The Devil has been mistaken for a vicious animal for hundreds of years. Devils were condemned in the past, as farmers believed that they were responsible for the death of livestock and they were branded verman and a nusience pest. This resulted in the culling of many Devils in the past. Even to this day due to over a two hundred years of ignorance, many farmers still consider the Devil to be a threat to their stock. Unfortunately it has taken a devastating disease which has wiped out over 80% of the Devil population in some areas to make people realise how beneficial these animals are, particularly when farmers are now forced to bury their own dead livestock as the Devil is no longer around to clean it up for them.

It's name came about due to it's blood curdling screeches which led the early European settlers to name it the Devil. The name however does not reflect this animals nature. It is quite a timid and shy animal the Devil has a small thick set build with quite a large head and short, thick tail. Each Devils has it's own distinct markings, It's fur is black and may have white markings usually on it's chest and rump.

The female Devils is considerably smaller than the male with a slimmer face and build, it has an open facing back pouch. The male is much larger with a thicker neck and broader face.

Devils are mainly scavengers and will feed on whatever is available. They have very powerful jaws with a total of 42 teeth which keep growing and become fully erupted at 2 years. Age of a Devil is usually established by the degree of eruption. These powerful jaws are able to devour it's prey completely, bones, fur and all. Only the large bones are unable to be consumed.

Devils don't have brilliant eyesight. Evidence shows that Devils have black and white vision and rely on movement. Their keen sense of smell and hearing are probably their stongest senses.

The Devil is an excellent swimmer and love the water. Young Devils are also very agile and good climbers. It is not unusual to find a Devil in a tree where they usually scavange for eggs or young chicks.

Warner Bros have promoted their version of the Tasmanian Devil as a spinning tornado devouring everything in it's path. Of course the real Tasmanian Devil is nothing like it's cartoon alter ego although there are some similarities. It certainly doesn't spin, as its back legs are slightly shorter than it's front legs they move with a rocking gait much like a Hyena.

They are shy, mischievious and sensitive animals. They survive on what food they can scavange from where ever it is available. They will gorge themselves on a wallaby carcass one day and then not find food until several days later and many kilometres on. Fat is stored in their tail which gives them the nutrients to go without food for several days.

Tasmanian Devil Habitat and Behaviour
Tasmanian Devil Breeding

References:
Department of Primary Industries and Water Tasmania
Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Services I
Tasmanian Devil - A Unique and Threatened Species by David Owen and David Pemberton