{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "tasmanian-devil",
  "name": "Tasmanian Devil",
  "scientificName": "Sarcophilus harrisii",
  "category": "Mammal",
  "summary": "The Tasmanian devil is the world's largest surviving carnivorous marsupial, weighing 6–14 kg (13–31 lb) with powerful jaws that can crush bone. Found only on Tasmania, it is Endangered after devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) wiped out most of the population — captive insurance groups and a vaccine offer hope for recovery.",
  "conservationStatus": "Endangered",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Mammalia",
    "order": "Dasyuromorphia",
    "family": "Dasyuridae",
    "genus": "Sarcophilus"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 10,
    "lengthM": 0.65,
    "topSpeedKmh": 24,
    "lifespanYears": 6
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Sarcophilus harrisii"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Carnivore — carrion, small mammals, birds, and insects"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Forests, scrub, and farmland across Tasmania"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "5–6 years in the wild (up to 8 in captivity)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "6–14 kg (13–31 lb); males larger than females"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Up to 24 km/h (15 mph) in short bursts"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Endangered (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Forests, scrub, and farmland across Tasmania, Australia — extinct on the mainland for roughly 3,000 years; the only place devils survive in the wild today.",
    "continents": [
      "Oceania"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "Hawkins, C. et al. (2008). Sarcophilus harrisii. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.",
      "url": null
    },
    {
      "citation": "Save the Tasmanian Devil Program (dpipwe.tas.gov.au).",
      "url": null
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/tasmanian-devil/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/tasmanian-devil/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}