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Tasmanian devil story. The marsupial devil is one of the most famous inhabitants of the island of Tasmania

The mammal marsupial devil or Tasmanian devil belongs to the family of predatory marsupials; it is the only species of this genus. The first European settlers named this animal because of its huge mouth with sharp teeth, ominous night cries and ferocious disposition. And from Latin the name of the species is completely translated as “lover of flesh.”

Tasmanian devil is the largest among modern marsupial predators. It has a dense and squat body, the size of a small dog, but its heavy build and dark coloring are more reminiscent of little bear. The body length is from 50 to 80 cm, the tail length is from 23 to 30 cm. Males are larger in size than females. The weight of large males reaches 12 kg, the height at the withers is 30 cm.

The animal is quite clumsy and massive. The legs are short, the front legs are slightly longer than the hind legs. The head is large, the muzzle is flattened. The ears are small and pink. The fur is short, black, with semilunar spots on the chest and rump. white, sometimes they are found on the sides. The tail is short, with a significant layer of fat deposits. It's covered long hair, but they can wipe themselves off, and then the tail becomes naked. First finger on hind legs no, the claws are big.

The skull is large, the jaws are strong, the teeth are sharp, massive, and the molars are capable of crushing and biting bones. One bite from a marsupial devil can pierce the spine or skull. Females have a pouch made in the form of a horseshoe-shaped fold of skin that opens backwards.

The Tasmanian devil is highly voracious ( daily norm food constitutes 15% of body weight). Its diet includes small and medium-sized mammals and birds, insects, snakes, amphibians, edible roots and plant tubers. On the banks of reservoirs the animal also finds frogs and crayfish, small sea creatures. Most of the marsupial devil's prey is carrion, and he uses his developed sense of smell to find the carcasses of animals from fish to sheep and cows. The more decomposed the meat is, the better it is for it. Dead wombat, kangaroo rat, rabbit - the Tasmanian devil eats all of these. It eats its prey entirely, including skin and bones. Thanks to this diet, the risk of infection of sheep by blow flies is reduced. The Tasmanian devil is also distinguished by its indiscriminate eating - echidna needles, pieces of rubber, silver foil, leather shoes, and dish towels are found in its secretions.

Now marsupial devils are distributed exclusively on the island of Tasmania, but previously they lived throughout Australia. They disappeared from the mainland about 600 years ago, possibly driven out and exterminated by dingoes. Residents of Tasmania also began exterminating marsupial devils to protect their poultry. As a result, the animal has retreated into undeveloped forest and mountain regions of Tasmania, and its population is in constant decline. Since the mid-20th century, hunting for this species has been prohibited.

Sexual dimorphism in this species of animals is manifested in the fact that males are larger in size than females. And the females have a pouch.

Marsupial devil lives in a variety of territories, except for densely populated regions and those without forests. It is often found in coastal savannas and near livestock pastures, where it is easy for them to find their main food - carrion, and in dry forests. The animal is active night image life, during the day it hides in bushes, among stones, in burrows, under fallen trees. In such secluded places, the Tasmanian devil builds nests from bark, leaves and grass.

This animal is not territorial, but it usually searches for prey in a certain area with an area of 8 to 20 km2, which overlaps with its relatives. They always live alone and gather in groups only to eat large prey. During such a meal, there are hierarchical clashes and loud noise that can be heard several kilometers away.

Marsupial devils make a lot of frightening sounds: these are monotonous growls and dull “coughing”, and eerie piercing screams, which have become the reason for the animals’ bad reputation. But they are indeed quite aggressive, although they open their mouths wide when they are insecure and afraid of something, and not in order to scare someone. During times of alarm, like skunks, Tasmanian devils become the source of a strong unpleasant odor. But even ferocious adult marsupial devils can be tamed and kept as pets.

Sometimes marsupial devils are seen during the day when they are sunbathing. The calm animal is slow and clumsy, but in case of danger it can run at speeds of up to 13 km/h. Young individuals are dexterous and agile, they can climb trees and swim well.

Mating among marsupial devils occurs in March-April. This process is a demonstration of aggression, after which the female drives the male away. The duration of pregnancy is 21 days; in April-May, 20-30 babies are born, of which up to 4 survive. The female eats the rest of the babies. Usually more females survive than males. Newborns are very small, their weight is 0.18-0.29 g. Their development occurs very quickly: at 3 months they are already completely covered with fur and become sighted. At 4 months, the cubs leave the pouch, but lactation lasts up to 5-6 months. At the end of December, the young animals leave their mother and begin an independent lifestyle. Young animals reach sexual maturity at the age of 2 years. The maximum life expectancy is 8 years.

Due to their aggressive nature and nocturnal lifestyle, adult marsupial devils have few natural enemies. Previously, they were hunted by the marsupial wolf (thylacine) and dingo. Young animals are attacked by birds of prey and tiger marsupials. New enemy and food competitor of the Tasmanian devil - common fox, which was introduced to Tasmania at the beginning of the 21st century.

The Tasmanian devil caused trouble to European settlers, ravaged chicken coops, ate animals that fell into traps, and attacked lambs and sheep. For these reasons, the animal was actively exterminated. Edible meat, which tastes like veal, was also in demand. By the mid-20th century the species was on the brink complete disappearance, and hunting for it was prohibited, and the population was restored. Now it is stable, although subject to seasonal fluctuations.

Tasmanian devils are famous and popular symbolic animals. They became the heroes of many films and books. It is prohibited to export them outside of Australia; the last Californian Tasmanian devil died in 2004.

The Taman devil is a marsupial mammal. He is a predator, as evidenced by his toothy mouth and eerie screams at night. Despite its relatively small size, this living creature instilled fear in the first settlers in Europe, for which it was called the “devil.”

Appearance of the Taman devil.

The Taman devil is one of the largest marsupial predators. But in fact, its size does not exceed the size of an average dog. The body shape and color of the animal resembles a bear cub. Its body is no more than 90 cm in length, plus a long tail up to 35 cm. Males have more large sizes And more weight than females.

The Taman devil has very strong paws, but the forelimbs are slightly shorter than the hind limbs, which adds clumsiness to the animal. The head appears large and out of proportion, the muzzle is blunt. The ears are short and have pink color. In area chest and the rump, the hair is white; on the rest of the body it is short, stiff and black. Tail Tasmanian devil can change its thickness, as fat reserves are deposited in it and during periods of hunger the tail becomes thin. Another feature of this animal is the absence of the first toe on its hind legs.

Very strong jaws are covered with sharp and large teeth. The animal is able to bite and crush bones with its molars.

Only females have a bursa, and it is a fold of skin in the form of a horseshoe on the abdomen, in which 4 nipples are located.

Photo: evil Taman devil.

Habitats

Nowadays, the Tasmanian devil can only be found on the island of Tasmania, but it once lived in Australia. From there he disappeared about 500 years ago. According to scientists, the Tasmanian devil was supplanted by dingo dogs, which were brought by the aborigines of the mainland.

In Tasmania, devils were first exterminated because they ravaged chicken coops. Animals began to move to mountainous and undeveloped areas, their population was rapidly declining, and in 1941 a law was passed banning hunting of the Tasmanian devil. Now these animals lead a quiet lifestyle in almost all parts of the island.

Lifestyle and diet

The devil can never be found in areas where there are no forests and a lot of people. Most of them live in coastal savannas, near pastures, and sclerophyll-rain forests.

During the day, the marsupial devil prefers to rest in a hole or crevices between stones, where he brings grass, bark, leaves and makes a real bed for himself. And at night he goes hunting.

In order to feel good, the Tasmanian devil needs to eat a volume of food equal to 15% of its body weight. Its diet includes lizards, birds, insects, small mammals, roots and tubers of plants. He also loves river and sea food, such as frogs. But most often the animal is content with the carrion of fish, rabbits, sheep, and rats. He is not so willing to eat fresh corpses, but prefers slightly decomposed ones, such strange tastes. The bloodthirsty Tasmanian devil eats its prey along with its fur and bones.

The Tasmanian devil, thanks to its love of carrion, will save sheep from infection by blow flies, because it eats rotten meat in which these flies multiply and develop.

Within a radius of up to 15 km from its refuge, the Tasmanian devil considers its territory to be its own. He regularly inspects the property at night. These are solitary animals; they will not share either land or prey with their relatives.

The Tasmanian devil makes growling, rasping sounds near danger and high-pitched screams to scare intruders away from its burrow.

If there is no danger nearby, the marsupial devil becomes clumsy, but at the slightest threat he takes off running, developing speeds of up to 15 km/h. These animals swim very poorly.

The Tasmanian devil has virtually no natural enemies. They were once part of the diet of marsupial wolves and dingoes, but after migrating to Tasmania, their only enemy was the fox, which was illegally brought to the island in 2000.

These animals are quite tame and can be kept as pets.

Photo: tame Taman devil.

Reproduction

The mating period occurs at the beginning of spring. Pregnancy lasts only 3 weeks, and ends with the birth of 20 cubs, but only 4 survive, because there are only 4 nipples in the female’s pouch. After 3 months, the babies are completely overgrown with hair and their eyes open. At 4 months they leave the pouch, but periodically feed on milk for another couple of months. 6 months after birth, the cubs leave their mother for good, entering an independent life.

The lifespan of the Tasmanian devil is about 8 years.

The Tasmanian devil got its name because it is believed to be very aggressive. In addition, it makes a characteristic frightening sound. In fact, it is quite shy, feeds mainly on carrion and rarely hunts live prey. Previously, even before the dingo dog spread to Australia, the animal we are considering lived on the mainland. Today, the Tasmanian devil is an animal that lives only in Tasmania, where it has no natural enemies, but is still an endangered species. The animal hunts at night and spends its days in the thickets. Lives on trees in hard leaves, also appears on rocky areas. Sleeps in different places: from a hollow in a tree to a cave in the rock.

The Tasmanian devil is an aggressive marsupial

Most of us associate this animal primarily with a cartoon character. In fact, this animal is as uncontrollable as its fairy-tale counterpart. But the facts suggest that even one individual can kill up to 60 poultry in just one night.

Tasmanian devils are unique animals. They are small marsupials with rat-like features, sharp teeth and thick black or brown fur. The animal is short, but do not be deceived: this creature is very fighting and is quite frightening.

Description of the Tasmanian devil

The real Tasmanian devil, in fact, is completely different from the famous cartoon character. It is not the same size and does not create a storm close to the surrounding area like a swirling tornado. The Tasmanian devil ranges from 51 to 79 centimeters in length and weighs only 4 to 12 kg. These animals exhibit sexual dimorphism: males are larger than females. Their life expectancy is on average 6 years.

It is the largest carnivorous marsupial currently in existence. The body of the beast is strong, strong and disproportionate: big head, the tail makes up almost half the length of the animal's body. This is where most of the fat accumulates, which is why healthy individuals have very thick and long tails. The animal has five toes on its front paws: four simple and one directed to the side. This feature gives them the ability to hold food in their paws. The hind limbs have four toes with very long and sharp claws.

The animal - the Tasmanian devil - has a very strong jaws, reminiscent of the jaw structure of a hyena. They have prominent canines, four pairs of upper incisors and three lower ones. The beast can open its jaw to a width of 80 degrees, this allows it to generate a very large bite force. Thanks to this, he is able to bite through a whole carcass and thick bones.

Habitat

The Tasmanian devil lives in Australia, which covers an area of about 35,042 square miles (90,758 square kilometers). Although these animals can live anywhere on the island, they prefer coastal scrub and dense, dry forests. Often drivers can meet them on the roads where devils feed on carrion. Because of this, they often die under the wheels of cars. Very common in Tasmania road signs, warning drivers about the possibility of the Tasmanian devil. But no matter what area of the island these animals inhabit, they sleep under stones or in caves, hollows or holes.

Habits

Between the animal and the cartoon character of the same name there is one common feature: bad temperament. When the devil feels threatened, he goes into a rage, in which he growls violently, lunges, and bares his teeth. It also emits otherworldly, eerie screams that can seem very frightening. The last feature can be explained by the fact that the Tasmanian devil is a solitary animal.

This unusual beast leads a nocturnal lifestyle: sleeps during the day and is awake at night. This feature may be explained by their desire to avoid predators that are dangerous to them - eagles and people. At night when hunting, it can cover a distance of more than 15 km thanks to its long hind limbs. The Tasmanian devil also has long whiskers, allowing it to navigate the terrain well and search for prey, especially at night.

The habit of hunting at night is explained by their ability to see everything in black and white colors. Therefore, they react well to movement, but have problems with clearly seeing stationary objects. Most of them developed sense- this is a rumor. They also have a well-developed sense of smell - they can smell odors at a distance of more than 1 km.

Young devils can climb well and anchor themselves in trees, but with age this ability is lost. Most likely, this is the result of adaptation to conditions environment Tasmanian devils, whose lifestyle is also marked by cases of cannibalism. Adults, during times of severe hunger, can eat young ones, which, in turn, defend themselves by climbing trees.

Nutritional Features

As already mentioned, Tasmanian devils are carnivorous animals. Most of the time they eat birds, snakes, fish and insects. Sometimes even a small kangaroo can become their victim. Often, instead of hunting live animals, they feast on dead carcasses, called carrion. Sometimes several animals can gather near one carcass, and then fights between them are inevitable. While eating, they absorb everything without loss: they eat bones, wool, internal organs and the muscles of their prey.

The Tasmanian devil's favorite food, due to its high fat content, is the wombat. But the animal may well feast on any other mammals, fruits, frogs, tadpoles and reptiles. Their diet depends primarily on the availability of dinner. At the same time, they have a very good appetite: per day they can take food equal to half their weight.

Reproduction and offspring

Tasmanian devils usually mate once a year, in March. Females choose their partners very carefully, and the latter can start real fights for her attention. The female has a gestation period of about three weeks and babies are born in April. The litter can be up to 50 cubs. Young devils are pink and hairless, the size of a grain of rice, and weigh approximately 24 grams.

Reproduction of Tasmanian devils is closely related to strong competition. At birth, the young are in their mother's pouch, where they compete for one of her four teats. Only these four will have a chance to survive; others die due to malnutrition. The cubs remain in the mother's pouch for four months. Once they come out, the mother carries them on her back. After eight or nine months, the cubs are fully grown. Tasmanian devils live from five to eight years.

Conservation status

According to the Red List of Threatened Species, the Tasmanian devil is endangered, its numbers are declining every year. In 2007, the IUCN estimated that the distribution of the Tasmanian devil is declining. At that time, about 25,000 adults were counted.

The population of this animal has decreased by at least 60% since 2001 due to cancerous tumor called facial tumor disease (DFTD). DFTD causes swelling on the surface of the animal's face, making it difficult for it to feed normally. Ultimately the animal dies of starvation. This is an infectious disease that has brought the species to the brink of extinction. Today, the Devil Conservation Program is a movement created at the initiative of Australia and the Tasmanian government to save animals from a terrible disease.

Marsupial or Tasmanian devil- a mammal of the family of predatory marsupials; the only species of the genus Sarcophilus. Its black coloring, huge mouth with sharp teeth, ominous night cries and ferocious disposition gave the first European settlers the reason to nickname this stocky predator “the devil”. The genus name “Sarcophilus” is derived from the words sarcos (Greek) - meat and phileo (Greek) - love (i.e. “lover of flesh”).

Phylogenetic analysis showed a close relationship of the Tasmanian devil with quolls and a more distant relationship with the extinct marsupial thylacine.

The Tasmanian devil is the largest living marsupial predator. This is a dense and squat animal the size of a small dog, however, with a heavy build and dark coloration it is more reminiscent of a miniature bear. The length of its body is 50-80 cm, tail - 23-30 cm. Body size depends on age, habitat and nutrition. Males are larger than females. Large males weigh up to 12 kg with a shoulder height of up to 30 cm.

The body of the Tasmanian devil is clumsy and massive. Limbs are strong, shortened; The front legs are slightly longer than the hind legs, which is not typical for marsupials. The head is disproportionately large, with a blunt muzzle. The ears are small and pink. The coat is short, black; white crescentic spots are common on the chest and sacrum; small round spots are also found on the sides. The tail is short and thick. The claws are large.

The skull is massive with strong jaws and sharp, massive teeth; molars like those of a hyena, adapted for biting and crushing bones. With one bite, the marsupial devil is able to bite through the spine or skull of its prey. The bite force of the marsupial devil is the highest among mammals, surpassing even the lion in bite force. The bursa in females looks like a horseshoe-shaped fold of skin that opens backwards.

Currently, the marsupial devil is found only on the island of Tasmania, although it previously inhabited mainland Australia. It disappeared from the mainland about 600 years ago (400 years before the first Europeans appeared in Australia), presumably driven out and exterminated by dingo dogs introduced by the aborigines. In Tasmania, European settlers also mercilessly exterminated marsupial devils because they ravaged chicken coops. As a result, as the island was developed, the marsupial devil retreated further into the undeveloped forest and mountain areas of Tasmania, and its numbers steadily declined until hunting for it was officially banned in 1941. Now Tasmanian devils are common in the central, northern and western parts of the island: in areas allocated for sheep pastures, as well as in national parks Tasmania.

Marsupial devils are found in almost any landscape, with the exception of densely populated and treeless areas. They are most numerous in coastal savannas and near livestock pastures, which supply them with their main food - carrion, as well as in dry and mixed rain forests. This animal is active at night, during the day it hides in dense bushes, in crevices among stones, in empty burrows, under tree trunks. fallen trees, where it makes a nest of bark, leaves and grass.

Very voracious (its daily food intake is 15% of its body weight), the marsupial devil feeds on small and medium-sized animals and birds, as well as insects, snakes, amphibians, edible roots and tubers of plants. Often wanders along the shores of reservoirs, finding and eating frogs and crayfish, and on the coast - small sea inhabitants washed ashore. However, the marsupial devil gets most of its prey in the form of carrion; Using his developed sense of smell, he finds and devours any corpses - from fish to dead sheep and cows, and prefers already decomposed, rotten and wormy meat. Its constant prey consists of dead wombats, wallabies, kangaroo rats, rabbits, etc. Perhaps the Tasmanian devil used to eat the carrion left over from the thylacine's meals; now he often captures prey from marsupial martens. It eats the prey entirely, along with the skin and bones (except for the largest ones). Like scavengers and large predators, marsupial devils play important role in the Tasmanian ecosystem; they reduce the risk of infection of sheep by blow flies, as they remove carrion in which the larvae develop. In addition to its gluttony, this animal is distinguished by its indiscriminate eating habits.

Devils are not territorial, however, they have certain territories that they walk around at night in search of prey. Their area ranges from 8 to 20 km², and the possessions of different animals overlap.

Tasmanian devils lead a strictly solitary lifestyle; the only situation where several devils gather together is to jointly devour large prey. The meal is accompanied by hierarchical clashes and loud noise, sometimes heard several kilometers away. The marsupial devil publishes a large number of frightening sounds: from monotonous growls and dull “coughing” to creepy, truly suggestive panic fear, shrill screams that gave him a bad reputation.

Marsupial devils are very aggressive, however, their habit of opening their mouths wide, as if in a yawn, is not a way of intimidation and aggression, but rather a sign of uncertainty. When alarmed, Tasmanian devils, like skunks, emit a strong, unpleasant odor. Despite their ferocity, even adult marsupial devils can be tamed and can even be kept as pets!

In a calm state, the marsupial devil is rather slow and clumsy, but in emergency situations it starts galloping, reaching speeds of up to 13 km/h. Young animals are dexterous and agile, and climb trees well. Adults climb less well, but are able to climb inclined trunks and climb onto perches in chicken coops. Marsupial devils are good swimmers.

Due to its aggressive disposition and nocturnal lifestyle, the adult marsupial devil has few natural enemies. Previously, they were hunted by marsupial wolves and dingoes. Young marsupial devils sometimes become victims birds of prey and tiger marsupials. The common fox, illegally brought to Tasmania in 2001, became a new enemy and food competitor of the Tasmanian devil.

On average, a female brings 20-30 cubs, of which only 2-3 (max. 4) cubs survive, having managed to reach the pouch.

The maximum lifespan of marsupial devils is 7-8 years.

The penultimate sharp decline in the number of marsupial devils occurred in 1950; Before the start of the DFTD epidemic, their population was estimated at 100,000 to 150,000 individuals, with a density of 20 individuals for every 10-20 km².

The export of the Tasmanian devil is prohibited; the last Tasmanian devil outside Australia died in California in 2004. The IUCN Red List of Vulnerable status is currently being considered for this marsupial predator.

See information about other representatives of the fauna of Australia, among which one of the symbols of this country is the platypus and the only Australian marsupial leading an underground lifestyle -

Family: Carnivorous marsupials Genus: Marsupial devils View: Marsupial devil Latin name Sarcophilus laniarius (Owen, 1838) Synonyms

Didelphis ursina Harris, 1808
Sarcophilus harrisii Boitard, 1841
Sarcophilus satanicus Thomas, 1903
Ursinus harrisii Boitard, 1841

ITIS

NCBI

Marsupial or Tasmanian devil(lat. Sarcophilus laniarius; outdated Sarcophilus harrisii(Boitard, 1841)) is a mammal of the family of carnivorous marsupials; the only species of the genus Sarcophilus. Its black coloring, huge mouth with sharp teeth, ominous night cries and ferocious disposition gave the first European settlers the reason to nickname this stocky predator “devil”. Genus name " Sarcophilus"derived from the words sarcos (Greek) - meat and phileo (Greek) - love ("lover of flesh").

Devils are not territorial, but have certain territories that they walk around at night in search of prey. Their area ranges from 8 to 20 km², and the possessions of different animals overlap. Tasmanian devils lead a strictly solitary lifestyle; the only situation where several devils gather together is to jointly devour large prey. The meal is accompanied by hierarchical clashes and loud noise, sometimes heard several kilometers away. The marsupial devil makes a large number of frightening sounds: from monotonous growls and dull “coughing” to creepy, piercing screams, which have given him a bad reputation. Marsupial devils are very aggressive, but their habit of opening their mouths wide, as if in a yawn, is not a way of intimidation and aggression, but rather a sign of uncertainty. When alarmed, Tasmanian devils, like skunks, emit a strong, unpleasant odor. Despite their ferocity, even adult marsupial devils are tameable and can be kept as pets.

The marsupial devil can sometimes be seen during the day, sunbathing.

Due to its aggressive disposition and nocturnal lifestyle, the adult marsupial devil has few natural enemies. They were previously hunted by marsupial wolves and dingoes. Young devil marsupials sometimes become victims of birds of prey and tiger marsupial martens ( Dasyurus maculatus). The common fox, illegally brought to Tasmania in 2001, has become a new enemy and food competitor of the Tasmanian devil.

Reproduction

Marsupial devils mate in March - April. Pregnancy lasts on average 21 days; in April - May, the female brings 20-30 cubs, of which only 2-3 (max. 4) cubs survive, having managed to reach the pouch. On average, more females survive than males. At birth, the body weight of the cub is 0.18-0.24 g. Young marsupial devils develop quite quickly: by the 90th day they are completely covered with hair, and between 87 and 93 days their eyes open. At the 4th month, the grown cubs (weighing about 200 g) leave the pouch, but the female’s lactation continues until 5-6 months. At the end of December, the cubs finally leave their mother and live independently. By the end of the second year of life, young females begin to reproduce. The maximum lifespan of marsupial devils is 7-8 years.

Population status

Tasmanian devils caused a lot of trouble for European settlers, destroying chicken coops, eating animals caught in traps, and allegedly attacking lambs and sheep, which is why these animals were actively persecuted. In addition, the meat of the marsupial devil turned out to be edible and, according to the colonists, tasted like veal. By June, when the law on the protection of the Tasmanian devil was passed, it was on the verge of complete extinction. However, unlike the thylacine (extinct in the city), the population of marsupial devils was restored and now they are quite numerous. Their population, like that of quolls, is subject to strong seasonal fluctuations, since every year in the summer (December-January) young marsupial devils leave their mothers and disperse throughout the territory in search of food. However, 60% of them die within the first few months, unable to withstand the food competition.

The penultimate sharp decline in the number of marsupial devils took place in the city; Before the start of the DFTD epidemic, their population was estimated at 100,000 to 150,000 individuals, with a density of 20 individuals for every 10-20 km².

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