Tasmanian Devil

Tasmanian Devil facts at a glance

What is a group of tasmanian devils called?

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Jaw power and scavenging

Tasmanian devils have one of the strongest bites relative to body size of any mammal — their wide jaws and thick teeth let them consume entire carcasses including bone and fur. They are primarily scavengers, locating dead wallabies and other animals by smell across kilometres of forest, though they also hunt small prey.

Nocturnal habits and vocalisations

Devils are active mainly at night, resting in dens by day in hollow logs, burrows, or dense scrub. Their eerie screeches, growls, and coughs during communal feeding gave them the 'devil' name — settlers found the night-time squabbles over carcasses unsettling.

Devil facial tumour disease

DFTD is a contagious cancer spread when devils bite each other during feeding and mating. Tumours on the face prevent eating and kill within months. The disease caused an estimated 80% population crash since the 1990s. Captive insurance populations, fenced disease-free areas, and vaccine trials are central to recovery efforts.

Conservation and recovery

Listed Endangered, devils are now found only on Tasmania — extinct on mainland Australia for thousands of years, likely outcompeted by dingoes. Roadkill, habitat loss, and DFTD remain threats. Tourism and the Save the Tasmanian Devil Programme fund research and captive breeding.

Did you know? Tasmanian Devil facts

• Tasmanian devils have one of the strongest bites relative to body size of any mammal.
• Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) is a contagious cancer spread through biting — it devastated wild populations.
• Devils store fat in their tails — a plump tail indicates a healthy devil before winter.
• Their loud screeches during communal feeding gave them the 'devil' name from early European settlers.

Diet & feeding

Carrion specialist eating every part of a carcass; also hunts small mammals, birds, and reptiles opportunistically.

Adaptations

• Massive jaw muscles and bone-crushing teeth let devils consume entire carcasses including bone.
• Keen sense of smell detects carrion from kilometres away.
• Black coat with white chest blaze provides camouflage in low forest light.

Behaviour & ecology

• Mostly solitary scavengers but gather noisily at large carcasses — squabbling is normal.
• Nocturnal foraging; rest in dens during daylight in hollow logs or burrows.

Communication

• Harsh screeches, growls, and coughs dominate feeding aggregations.
• Scent marking from anal and chest glands advertises territory.

Habitat & range

Forests, coastal scrub, and farmland across Tasmania — absent from mainland Australia since the thylacine era.

Ecological role

Apex scavenger that removes carrion quickly, reducing disease spread and nutrient cycling lag in ecosystems.

Sources & references

This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Tasmanian Devil:

• IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

  Conservation status (Endangered) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Sarcophilus harrisii.

• Hawkins, C. et al. (2008). Sarcophilus harrisii. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

  Endangered status and DFTD impact.

• Save the Tasmanian Devil Program (dpipwe.tas.gov.au).

  Conservation breeding and disease research.

• Global Animal Guide editorial standards

  How we research, source, review, and update every guide for accuracy.