Tasmanian Devil
⚡ Key Facts & Quick Answers (AEO Summary)
- Taxonomic Class: Mammals
- Dietary Niche: Carnivore (Carrion, small mammals, reptiles)
- Max Speed: 25 km/h (15 mph)
- Adult Weight: 4 - 12 kg (9 - 26 lbs)
- Typical Lifespan: 5 - 6 years
- Primary Habitat: Dry eucalypt forests, coastal woodlands, scrublands
- Native Region: Tasmania (Australia)
- IUCN Red List: Endangered
📊 Physical & Biological Metrics
🧬 Scientific Taxonomy & Biological Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Dasyuromorphia |
| Family | Dasyuridae |
| Genus | Sarcophilus |
| Species Binomial | Sarcophilus harrisii |
📖 1. Species Overview
The Tasmanian Devil is the largest surviving carnivorous marsupial. Notorious for its screeching growls, strong jaws, and aggressive feeding frenzies, it is found in the wild only on the island state of Tasmania.
🦿 2. Physical Appearance, Anatomy & Adaptations
Has a stocky build, coarse black fur, white chest markings, a short snout, and a tail where they store fat reserves.
🗺️ 3. Habitat, Geographic Distribution & Territorial Range
Mainly nocturnal and solitary. They emit high-pitched screams and growls to establish dominance during communal feeding at carcasses.
🥩 4. Diet, Feeding Strategy & Hunting Tactics
Consume entire carcasses including bones, fur, and skull, utilizing the strongest bite force relative to body mass of any living mammal.
🐣 5. Reproduction, Lifecycle & Social Hierarchy
Like other marsupials, females give birth to tiny joey embryos that crawl to the pouch. Only 4 survive out of up to 30 born, staying in the pouch for 4 months.
🛡️ 6. Conservation Status, Population Threats & Protection
Endangered. Threaten by Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD), a contagious transmissible cancer that has wiped out over 80% of wild populations.
💡 Fascinating Facts & Trivia
- A Tasmanian devil can eat up to 40% of its body weight in a single feeding session.
- They store excess fat in their tails; a skinny tail is a sign of an unhealthy or starving devil.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Direct authoritative answers regarding the biology, feeding habits, and habitat of the Tasmanian Devil.
The Tasmanian Devil is scientifically classified as Sarcophilus harrisii. It belongs to the genus Sarcophilus within the family Dasyuridae, class Mammalia, and phylum Chordata.
In the wild, Tasmanian Devils inhabit Dry eucalypt forests, coastal woodlands, scrublands. Their native geographic range primarily spans Tasmania (Australia).
The Tasmanian Devil is classified as a Carnivore. It feeds primarily on specialized nutrients suited to its ecological niche in Dry eucalypt forests, coastal woodlands, scrublands.
A Tasmanian Devil can achieve top speeds of 25 km/h (15 mph) and weighs approximately 4 - 12 kg (9 - 26 lbs). Its expected natural lifespan is 5 - 6 years.
The Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is currently designated as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Cite this Article
FaunaWiki Zoological Database (2026). "Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) Species Profile."
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