Fauna
Mammal · GBIF taxon 2435451

Tasmanian Devil

Sarcophilus harrisii

Tasmanian devils are nocturnal marsupial scavengers renowned for their bone-crushing jaw strength and chaotic, communal feeding sessions. When agitated or competing over carrion, they flush their ears bright red, release a pungent musk, and emit blood-curdling screeches heard across the bush. Severe population declines caused by a transmissible facial cancer have placed these iconic carnivores under intensive conservation management.

MarsupialNocturnalCarnivore
Tasmanian Devil reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Mike Switzerland, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Wombat
  • Tasmanian Pademelon
  • Carrion
Predators
  • Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle
  • Domestic Dog
ThreatsDevil Facial Tumor Disease, road collisions, dog attacks
HabitatsEucalypt forests, woodlands, coastal scrub, agricultural lands
Life span5–8 years
Classification
  1. FamilyDasyuridae
  2. SpeciesSarcophilus harrisii
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Delivers an exceptionally powerful bite if cornered; observe quietly from a safe distance.
Why it is dangerous
Possesses immense jaw muscle force capable of breaking bones, causing severe tissue damage if provoked or handled.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for a stocky, black marsupial with white chest bands and a broad head that screeches loud nocturnal calls.
What to do
Never handle wild individuals, step back when encountering a feeding carcass, and keep domestic dogs on leashes.
What to notice
Recognizable by its dark fur, bear-like stance, white chest blaze, and aggressive communal vocalizations.
Support conservation
Observe silently from a distance, drive slowly on rural roads at night, and report sick individuals to local conservation agencies.
Responsible observation
  • Drive cautiously: Reduce speed on Tasmanian roads after dusk to protect feeding devils from collisions.
  • Give wide berth: Avoid approaching screeching or feeding individuals to prevent defensive reactions.
  • Secure camp food: Store garbage and food items in rigid containers to deter night scavengers.
Related species
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