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Tasmanian devil animal. Lifestyle and habitat of the Tasmanian devil

Being the largest of modern predatory marsupials, this black animal with white spots on the chest and rump, with a huge mouth and sharp teeth has a dense physique and a stern disposition, for which, in fact, it was called the Tasmanian devil (lat. Sarcophilus harrisii). Emitting ominous screams at night, the massive and clumsy beast looks like little bear: the front legs are slightly longer than the hind legs, big head, the muzzle is dull.

Sarcophilus (Greek) lover of flesh) is the name of its genus. These animals reach 50-80 cm in length, up to 30 cm in height and 12 kg in weight, the tail length is up to 30 cm. The female’s pouch opens backwards. Males are larger than females, but in principle a lot depends on age, nutrition and habitat: the size and weight of the animals can change in one direction or another.

But what is invariable for everyone is small pink ears, short hair, a strong tail (where fat reserves are deposited), large claws and the absence of the first toe on the hind limbs. , endowed by nature with sharp, strong teeth, is capable of taking a bite and crushing not only the bone, but also the spine of its prey with one bite!

Previously this amazing animal lived on mainland Australia, but today the Tasmanian devil can only be found on the island of Tasmania. It is assumed that it was squeezed out by wild ones brought to the mainland by the aborigines. European settlers also did not spare the Tasmanian devil, mercilessly exterminating its family due to the animal’s habit of destroying chicken coops.

In 1941, an official ban on hunting the Tasmanian devil literally saved these animals from complete disappearance from the face of the Earth. Currently they live in national parks Tasmania, in the northern, western and central parts of the island, living in almost any landscape conditions, with the exception of densely populated regions.

As for the lifestyle and diet of the Tasmanian devil, inhabiting coastal savannas, dry sclerophyll and mixed sclerophyll-rain forests, they feed mainly on carrion, small animals (rats, rabbits) and birds. Insects, snakes and amphibians are also used.

The Tasmanian devil is very voracious: in a day he must eat 15% of his body weight. If he does not eat enough food of animal origin, he can snack on plant tubers and edible roots. The animal is active at night, hiding in dense bushes and rock crevices during the day.

The animals live in burrows and under the trunk of a fallen tree, making nests out of leaves, bark and grass. He loves to walk along the shore of a reservoir, eating nearby frogs, crayfish and other small aquatic inhabitants. Possessing an excellent sense of smell, the Tasmanian devil can smell carrion from a great distance.

Here size doesn’t matter - if necessary, he will eat both a sheep and a cow! I am especially pleased if the meat is properly rotten and decomposed. Going in search of prey, which the Tasmanian devil eats completely, along with bones and wool, he can fight for it with the marsupial marten.

By nature, Tasmanian devils are loners. They gather in groups only in one case - when they need to eat something large. At the same time, they fight and growl loudly, squeak, scream, making a wide variety of sounds, which earns them an additional bad reputation.

As scavengers, the Tasmanian Devil plays a vital role in the Tasmanian ecosystem, significantly reducing the likelihood of blowfly infestation in sheep. Despite its harsh temperament, the Tasmanian devil can be tamed and kept as a pet. But just don’t scare him, otherwise he will emit an unpleasant odor.

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. In one bite marsupial devil capable of biting 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 reserved for sheep pastures, as well as in Tasmanian national parks.

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 gluttonous (his daily norm food is equal to 15% of 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 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. A new enemy and food competitor Tasmanian devil became common fox, illegally introduced into Tasmania in 2001.

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 -

The analysis showed a close relationship of the Tasmanian devil with quolls and a more distant relationship with the extinct marsupial wolf thylacine ( Thylacine cynocephalus).

Appearance

The Tasmanian devil is the largest living marsupial predator. This is a dense and squat animal the size of a small dog, but 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 height at the withers of up to 30 cm.

The body of the Tasmanian devil is clumsy and massive. Limbs are blunt, 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; In it, the Tasmanian devil stores fat reserves, and the tail of a sick or starving animal becomes thin. They cover him long hair, which are often wiped off, and then the tail remains almost bare. The first digit on the hind limbs is missing; claws are large.

The skull is massive with strong jaws and sharp, massive teeth; molars, like those of a hyena, are 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, related to body weight, is the highest among mammals. The bursa in females looks like a horseshoe-shaped fold of skin that opens backwards; nipples - 4.

Spreading

Lifestyle and diet

Marsupial devils are found in almost any landscape, with the exception of densely populated and deforested areas. They are most numerous in coastal savannas and near livestock pastures, which “supply” their main food - carrion, as well as in dry sclerophyll and mixed sclerophyll-rain forests. This animal is active at night, during the day it hides in dense bushes, in crevices among stones, in empty holes, under the trunks of 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 mammals 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 fights off prey from marsupial martens. It eats the prey entirely, along with the skin and bones (except for the largest ones). As scavengers and large predators, marsupial devils play an important role in the Tasmanian ecosystem. In particular, they reduce the risk of blowfly infestation in sheep by removing carrion in which the larvae develop. In addition to its gluttony, this animal is distinguished by its indiscriminate eating - echidna needles, pieces of rubber, silver foil, pieces of leather boots and harness, dish towels and undigested carrots and ears of corn were found in its excrement.

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. It was the nightly terrifying screams of an as yet unknown animal that led the first Europeans to give it a “devilish” name.

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.

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

Reproduction

Marsupial devils mate in March-April. Even their mating is a demonstration of aggression. After 3 days, the female drives the male away with genuine aggression. Pregnancy lasts on average 21 days; in April-May, the female brings 20-30 cubs, of which no more than four survive, having managed to attach to the four nipples in the pouch. The remaining cubs are eaten by the female. On average, more females survive than males. Like other marsupials, cubs are born very small: their weight is 0.18-0.29 g. Young marsupial devils develop quite quickly: by 90 days 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 for another 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 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 1941, when legislation was passed to protect the Tasmanian devil, it was on the verge of extinction. However, unlike the marsupial wolf, which became extinct in 1936, the population of marsupial devils was restored, and they are now quite numerous. Their population, like that of quolls, is subject to strong seasonal fluctuations, since every year in the summer (December-January) young marsupials 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 occurred in 1950; Before the start of the DFTD epidemic, their numbers were estimated at 100,000 - 150,000 individuals, with a density of 20 individuals per 10–20 km 2 .

Diseases

For the first time, a fatal disease called devil facial tumor disease(Devil Facial Tumor Disease, "Devil Facial Tumor"), or DFTD, was reported in 1999. Over the past period, according to various estimates, from 20 to 50% of the population of marsupial devils died from it, mainly in the eastern part of the island.

DFTD begins with small tumors around the mouth that become malignant and gradually spread from the animal's head to the rest of the body. Overgrown tumors block the animal's vision, hearing and mouth, depriving it of the ability to obtain food and leading to starvation. The mortality rate for this disease is 100% (within 12-18 months). One hypothesis suggests that DFTD is caused by a virus, but it is also possible that tumor cells themselves are the source of infection ( transmissible malignant tumor [remove template]); Presumably, the disease is transmitted through bites when animals fight over territory and females. Judging by historical data, the disease is endemic to Tasmanian devils, and its epizootics recur at intervals of 77-146 years. Ongoing anti-epidemic measures include the capture and isolation of infected individuals, as well as the creation of isolated “insurance” populations in case of extinction of marsupial devils in nature.

In 2006, researchers were able to discover that the chromosomes in tumors of different individuals of devils undergo the same rearrangements. In addition, scientists caught a sick individual with a rare genetic defect that was absent in the tumor cells. All this indicated that tumor cells are “external”, that is, they are transmitted from a sick organism to a healthy one.

Currently, there is no cure for DFTD, so devils have to look for natural mechanisms to combat the disease. As it turns out, these animals have them. First, the devils' sexual maturation has accelerated. In July 2008, scientists from the University of Tasmania were able to establish that the number of pregnant females under the age of one year had increased significantly (in some control populations the increase was more than 80%). Females typically do not become sexually active until they are two years old, but further analysis has shown that they are now maturing 6-12 months earlier. Considering that average duration The life of the devil is six years, this is a significant “shift”. Secondly, the devils began to multiply all year round, while previously the mating season lasted only a couple of months. According to the researchers, changing the breeding strategy is intended to compensate for the damage caused by the disease.

To date, the tumor has wiped out more than seventy percent of the devil population.

Export

The export of the Tasmanian devil is prohibited; the last Tasmanian devil outside Australia died in California in 2004. The issue of assigning the status of “vulnerable” to this marsupial predator is currently being considered ( Vulnerable) in the IUCN Red Book. However, in 2005, the Tasmanian government made an exception and presented two Tasmanian devils to Frederick, crown prince Denmark, and his wife Mary (born in Tasmania) after the birth of their first son. Now these gifts live in the Copenhagen Zoo.

Animal protection

In 2009, the Linux OS developer community decided to draw public attention to the problem of endangered species. In version Linux 2.6.29 it received a new logo: the place of the penguin Tux was temporarily taken by the Tasmanian devil Tuz.

Tasmanian devil in culture

The Tasmanian devil is a symbolic Australian animal, in particular its image is present on the emblem of the Tasmanian National Park Service and wildlife and former Australian football team, the Tasmanian Devils. The former NBL Gobart Devils basketball team was also named after the animal. The Tasmanian devil is one of six endemic Australian animals featured on commemorative coins issued between 1989 and 1994.

Tasmanian devils are very popular among both Australian and international tourists. Due to its characteristic behavior and appearance, this animal is the subject of numerous documentaries and children's books. Last documentary, Terrors of Tasmania, was filmed in 2005. It tells about the fate of a female devil during the mating season and the period of caring for offspring. The film also talks about DFTD and the measures taken to conserve the species. The film was shown on both Australian television and the American National Geographic Channel.

The Tasmanian devil is also widely known outside of Australia thanks to a Looney Tunes cartoon character named Pelvis. Genetics also called the Tasmanian devil a mutant mouse characterized by a disorder in the development of sensitive cells of the inner ear. This results in behavioral disturbances in the mutant, including head tossing and running in circles, which is more reminiscent of a cartoon character than an actual Tasmanian devil.

The Tasmanian devil also appeared in one of the episodes of the animated series “Chip and Dale to the Rescue.”

Notes

BioLib Profil taxonu - druh ďábel medvědovitý Sarcophilus harrisii Boitard, 1841 (Czech)
Sokolov V. E. Five-language dictionary of animal names. Mammals. Latin, Russian, English, German, French. / under general edition acad. V. E. Sokolova. - M.: Rus. lang., 1984. - P. 16. - 10,000 copies.
Wroe, S.; McHenry, C.; Thomason, J. (2005). “Bite club: comparative bite force in big biting mammals and the prediction of predatory behaviour in fossil taxa.” Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences. 272 (1563): 619-625.

Touching upon the topic of marsupials, it is impossible to ignore one of the most famous inhabitants island of Tasmania - the Tasmanian (Tasmanian) devil. Due to its black color, stocky powerful body, huge mouth with sharp teeth, terrible taste preferences and increased aggressiveness, Europeans called this animal the “devil.” And, you know, it’s not in vain. Even in his Latin name there is something sinister - Sarcophilus translated as “lover of flesh.”

This devil can now only be found on the island of Tasmania, in the central, northern and western parts of the island. Although it previously inhabited mainland Australia, where it disappeared 400 years before the appearance of the first Europeans. But with the appearance on the island western people, the fight against this animal began. Although, probably, there was a reason - the Tasmanian devil was widely engaged in the destruction of chicken coops. I want to eat. In addition, the meat of this animal, which tasted like veal, was liked by the local residents themselves.

As a result of the extermination that began, marsupial devils were forced to settle in the undeveloped forest and mountainous areas of Tasmania. Its numbers continued to decline steadily. But apparently the lesson benefited the people, and they came to their senses in time. In June 1941, a law was passed banning the hunting and destruction of this animal. The population was restored. Now the Tasmanian devil is quite widespread in areas reserved for sheep pastures (closer to food sources), as well as in the national parks of Tasmania.

The “devil” himself doesn’t look like a devil at all. Except he has a very bad character, and he growls so loudly that it sends goosebumps down your spine. Currently, the Tasmanian devil is the largest marsupial predator. Previously, this status belonged to . It is the size of a small dog, however, thanks to its dense, squat body and dark, almost black color with white spots on the throat and sides, it can resemble a brown bear cub.

Sleeping "bear cub"

The body length does not exceed 80 centimeters, followed by a 25-30 centimeter tail, sometimes thick and fluffy, and sometimes thin and hairless. This part of the body is a kind of “storehouse” for fat for the devil. In a starving animal, it becomes thin and long hairs often fall out.

Limbs are strong and short. The front legs are slightly longer than the hind legs, which is unusual for marsupials. The head is large, but their jaws are a different story altogether. They are so strong and powerful that an animal can easily bite and crush bones with them. The devil can easily bite through the spine or skull of his prey.

Powerful and strong jaws

The marsupial devil is very gluttonous and indiscriminate in food. It feeds on almost everything: small and medium-sized animals, birds, insects, amphibians, snakes, plant tubers and edible roots. Carrion is also included in his diet, and, moreover, is almost one of the main dishes. They eat any corpses, preferring already decomposed rotten meat. Only the largest bones remain from the animal's corpse. Thus, the Tasmanian devil serves as the island's natural orderly.

Division of spoils

The female carries 2-4 cubs in her pouch. Although initially she brings up to 20-30 cubs, most of which die before reaching the pouch. The “lucky ones” develop quickly; by the age of 3 months they are covered with fur and their eyes open. Feeding of the cubs continues until 4-5 months of age, but 7-8 months after birth the babies finally leave their mother and begin to live independently. Sexual maturity in females occurs in the second year of life.

Female with cubs

These animals lead night look life, and in daytime most often they take refuge in the crevices of stones, in empty holes, or in bushes and make a nest for themselves from bark, leaves and grass. Sometimes they can be seen basking in the sun. At night they walk around their properties in search of prey, most often carrion.

Devils are loners. They gather in small groups only when large prey is eaten. Sometimes during such feasts, skirmishes occur between males, accompanied by fights with a terrifying growl, which has given this animal a bad reputation.

But, despite its terrible character, some residents keep the marsupial devil as a pet. They can be tamed, although you should do it carefully and it’s better to start with the cubs, otherwise you may be left without fingers.

In the note about the thylacine, we said that in addition to extermination by humans, this species of marsupial was attacked by canine plague, which claimed the lives of many animals. This is how the Tasmanian devil developed its own disease. It's called "devil's face disease" devil facial tumor disease) or DFTD.

The disease was first reported in 1999. It causes numerous malignant tumors on the animal's head, which then spread throughout the body. Tumors block the animal's vision, hearing and mouth. It can no longer hunt or eat and dies of hunger. The disease is caused by a virus transmitted to a healthy animal during fights and bites. According to sources, DFTD is unique to these animals and its outbreaks recur every 80-150 years.

Various anti-epidemic measures are being carried out, including the capture of sick animals, as well as the creation of “reserve” populations in case the animal dies out from this disease. Unfortunately, there is no cure for it yet.

The animal, which belongs to the marsupial organisms, has a second name - the Tasmanian devil. Lives only on the island of Tasmania.

Indeed, one cannot envy his appearance; of course, he is not so handsome. The body of the predator has well-developed muscles and is covered with black fur.

The marsupial devil has a large head, short legs and a rather unpleasant voice, but you can live with that. But his character and habits leave much to be desired.

The animal is famous for its exorbitant appetite and bite force. Leads a solitary nocturnal lifestyle, during the day it hides in dense bushes, but sometimes gathers in small flocks.

He is a predator, and like all animals leading such a lifestyle, he causes a negative attitude in people. In general, he is not the devil, in the literal sense of the word, and that’s what the people he called him called. When exploring the island of Tasmania, man first encountered this animal, and at first did not pay any attention to the marsupial devil. But the predator immediately reminded himself of himself by stealing the reserves meat products from the first colonists and destroying all the chickens that the settlers brought.

People began to systematically exterminate the poor animal; who would want an unknown animal to rule with impunity? Moreover, people liked the meat of the marsupial devil himself. The hunting was so intense that this animal was preserved in very small quantities; it now lives high in the mountains in completely deserted areas.

The Tasmanian devil is a rare endangered species, so it is carefully protected by law.

In Australia it is not found at all; farmers have practically gotten rid of it. But many scientists believe that this animal is not so terrible and dangerous, and the almost complete extermination of the animal should not have been allowed. People are usually frightened by the loud scream that an animal makes in moments of danger, but these sounds are more reminiscent of a strong grinding sound. In addition, when enemies attack, the devil scares them away with an unpleasant odor, like a skunk. Any animal, if attacked, is forced to defend itself, showing all its cruel, bestial qualities. Anyone who has observed the behavior of the Tasmanian devil in the zoo doubts its disgusting features.

Young marsupial devils are tamed quite easily, become funny, you can play with them like dogs, but under no circumstances should they be allowed near the chicken coop; poultry is the animal’s favorite prey.

Listen to the voice of the Tasmanian (marsupial) devil

If you look closely, the devil has a rather pretty face, a well-groomed skin, they wash themselves, moisten their palms with saliva and wipe their fur. Appearance the devil, if you are completely unaware of his pranks, does not make a repulsive impression on people.

Previously, no one had studied the habits of this animal, and only when it became a rare animal did scientists compile a description external signs and characteristics of the devil's behavior. At the same time it was discovered Interesting Facts: adult animals are very caring parents, they have to work hard to raise their cub. After all, a newborn baby born into the world has a body size of a little more than a centimeter, while its parents reach a body length of more than half a meter. So the baby has to sit in his mother’s bag until his eyes open and at least some semblance of hair appears.

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