# Tasmanian Devil (*Sarcophilus harrisii*)

> 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.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Endangered
- **Range:** 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.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/tasmanian-devil/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Dasyuromorphia
- **Family:** Dasyuridae
- **Genus:** Sarcophilus

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Sarcophilus harrisii |
| Diet | Carnivore — carrion, small mammals, birds, and insects |
| Habitat | Forests, scrub, and farmland across Tasmania |
| Lifespan | 5–6 years in the wild (up to 8 in captivity) |
| Weight | 6–14 kg (13–31 lb); males larger than females |
| Top speed | Up to 24 km/h (15 mph) in short bursts |
| Conservation status | Endangered (IUCN) |

## 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.

## Frequently asked questions

### Are Tasmanian devils dangerous to humans?

They avoid people and attacks are extremely rare. Devils may defend a food source aggressively if cornered but do not hunt humans.

### Why are they called Tasmanian devils?

Early European settlers named them for loud night screams and fierce squabbles when feeding on carcasses — not because they are evil, but because the sounds were eerie in the bush.

### What is devil facial tumour disease?

A contagious cancer transmitted through biting that causes fatal facial tumours. It devastated wild populations but captive insurance groups and research programmes aim to restore numbers.

### How strong is a Tasmanian devil's bite?

Devils can generate bite force disproportionate to their size — enough to crush bone and consume entire carcasses that other scavengers leave.

### Where do Tasmanian devils live?

Only on the island of Tasmania, Australia — in forests, coastal scrub, and farmland. They are extinct on the mainland.

## Sources

- Hawkins, C. et al. (2008). Sarcophilus harrisii. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
- Save the Tasmanian Devil Program (dpipwe.tas.gov.au).

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/tasmanian-devil/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.