What does the marsupial devil eat? Tasmanian or marsupial devil

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.

In an animal - Tasmanian devil- 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

Tasmanian devil lives in Australia, which has 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 night look life: 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 infection, because of which the species was on the verge 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.

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 allocated for sheep pastures (closer to places of food), as well as in national parks 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 are nocturnal, and 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.

There are few animals in the world named after evil spirits. Apart from the Tasmanian devil, the only thing we can remember is fish " angler" It is clear that an ordinary representative of the fauna will not be called that. So for what sins did the beast receive such an unflattering nickname?

Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii).

This story began 400 years ago, when Europeans discovered Australia and nearby islands. The range of the marsupial devil then covered all of Tasmania and probably parts of Western Australia. The first settlers of these lands were British criminals exiled to distant lands, that is, an illiterate people and, like all Englishmen, deeply superstitious. Moving inland, the convicts behaved warily: you never know what danger awaits them in unknown lands, here every tree, every berry can be fraught with danger. What was the horror of the colonialists when one day dark night a heartbreaking cry of an unknown creature was heard in the bushes. They had never heard such sounds in their homeland! They never found out what kind of animal made that sound that night, but from that moment they were sure that someone terrible lived here. Subsequently, they heard such screams more than once, but what is interesting is that they were heard only at night, and during the day there was no trace of the unknown creature. Over and over again, at rest stops, travelers discussed these oddities, adding fictitious details, until, in the end, they agreed that only the devil himself could scream like that.

Later, having settled in the first settlements, they began raising chickens and sheep. Now, at night screams, the colonialists were no longer surprised, but only prayed to themselves to scare away the evil spirits. And then the hour came when the veil of secrecy was torn off. One of the newly minted farmers found a dead chicken in the barn in the morning, and a killer near the corpse. An unprecedented black beast screamed at the man and... oh horror, everyone recognized this scream. Yes, it’s him - the Tasmanian devil! Later, similar animals were repeatedly found near the corpses of sheep, poultry, and even near killed convicts. People were not at all embarrassed by the small size of the beast: the predator took away their food, destroyed the results of hard work, and only for this was worthy of the title of killer of livestock and... people. After all, it was much easier to blame the death of a fellow tribesman on a dumb beast than to call the police. Thus the death penalty the “criminal” was guaranteed. And when it turned out that the meat of the “executed” was not inferior in taste to beef, Tasmanian devils began to be destroyed everywhere and were so successful that 19th century these animals survived only in remote areas of Tasmania. So, we told about the prejudices that played a fatal role in the fate of this beast, and now it’s time to find out the truth...

The Tasmanian devil belongs to the order Marsupials and this moment is the most large predator. Even with brothers in the squad these unusual mammals has little in common; its only relatives are the spotted marsupial martens and the now extirpated thylacines (marsupial wolves). As already mentioned, the size of marsupial devils is small, they do not exceed 50 cm in length and weigh 6-8 kg. Their appearance intricately intertwines the features of different animals: at first glance, the Tasmanian devil resembles a squat dog, although its paws are flat like a bear’s, and its elongated muzzle with long mustaches makes it look like a giant rat. This combination external features testifies to the antiquity and primitiveness of these animals.

Tasmanian devils are black in color; 75% of individuals have two white crescent markings: one on the chest, the other on the lower back.

They do not have protected individual areas, but one individual, as a rule, moves around a certain territory, resting in 3-4 permanent dens. Tasmanian devils hide in dense bushes, holes they dig themselves, or small caves. On the outskirts of villages, these animals sometimes steal blankets and clothes and line their shelters with these things. Animals lead a solitary lifestyle because they have a grumpy and quarrelsome character. The only thing that can bring Tasmanian devils together is large prey. For the sake of food, they are ready to tolerate their neighbors, but only after they have had a good time yelling at each other and finding out who is more important. The muzzles of older individuals are covered with scars, reminiscent of such skirmishes. Marsupial devils go hunting only at night and at dusk, but in captivity they are active during the day.

Baby marsupial devils take a sunbath.

These animals are voracious Weight Limit the prey they can absorb at a time is 40% of their own mass. Powerful jaws, which are not inferior in strength to the jaws of a hyena, make it possible to kill prey that is larger in size than the predator itself, for example, wombats and sheep. In addition, Tasmanian devils catch small kangaroos, kangaroo rats, possums, parrots, insects; adult individuals can encroach on the life of young animals. At the same time, whenever possible, they prefer a bloodless and lazy way to get enough, namely, they pick up carrion, dead fish, toads and frogs. Often, animals caught feasting on the corpses of fallen ungulates are unfairly blamed for the death of the victims. Interestingly, marsupial devils prefer well-rotten meat and eat the carcass without leaving any residue, including the skin, entrails and small bones. Apparently, the animals are not afraid to experiment with unfamiliar products; pieces of leather boots, harnesses, denim, echidna needles, and pencils were found in their stomachs and droppings.

When running, Tasmanian devils can accelerate up to 12 km/h.

In search of prey, these animals slowly walk around the territory, sometimes climb the lower branches of trees, and confidently cross rivers by swimming, including cold mountain streams. During the night they can cover from 8 to 30 km. Their main senses are touch, a very keen sense of smell and well-developed night vision. If it is not possible to escape, the Tasmanian devil resorts to a psychological attack - that very heartbreaking cry. It must be admitted that their voice is indeed very loud for animals of such small size. It sounds unpleasant, in some places it resembles a loud roar, in others a hoarse or piercing screech. Tasmanian devils know the power of their weapons and do not forget to remind their enemies and fellow tribesmen of it with a wide, threatening yawn. Behind these hysterical screams lies another secret of these animals - in fact, they are very cowardly. When frightened, these mammals emit an unpleasant odor.

Tasmanian devil in a threatening pose.

The breeding season for Tasmanian devils begins in the Australian autumn, that is, in March-April. The males start fights, after which the female mates with the strongest of them. However, she can change partners, and a male can also have several chosen ones. Pregnancy, like that of all marsupials, is short, lasting 21 days.

It is also surprising that in such tiny, essentially underdeveloped newborns, gender can already be distinguished.

Tasmanian devils are one of the most prolific mammals, they can have 20-30 cubs in one litter! True, only the first four babies who manage to attach to the nipples have a chance of life. The flow of mucus released during birth helps the cubs get into the pouch, which opens backwards. After 2 months they begin to squeak, and after 3 months they are completely covered with fur. Gradually, the babies begin to crawl out of their mother’s pouch; as a rule, the female leaves them in the den when she goes hunting. Young individuals become independent by January. They reach sexual maturity by 2 years, but no more than half of the animals survive to this date. In general, Tasmanian devils do not live long; in nature, the age of the oldest individuals did not exceed 5 years, and in captivity - 7.

In nature, the natural enemies of Tasmanian devils were eagles and marsupial wolves (the latter killed cubs in their dens). With the settlement of Australian aborigines, dingo dogs came to the continent, which finally destroyed marsupial devils in Australia, and European colonialists helped complete this process. Now the animals are protected and no one hunts them, but new troubles are preventing the complete restoration of their numbers. Firstly, foxes were brought to the island of Tasmania, which began to do the same thing here as dingoes do in Australia. Secondly, the animals turned out to be very susceptible to a viral form of cancer, which is called “devil face tumor disease” (DFTD). In sick animals, tissue begins to grow on the eyelids, cheeks, and throat so that they eventually lose the ability to eat and breathe normally. For now, the only way to combat this virus is to remove infected individuals from wild populations.

Tasmanian devil cubs in mother's pouch.

Captured Tasmanian devils are difficult to tame, low level intelligence and natural aggressiveness make contact with people difficult; animals often bite, rush around in the cage and even chew through the bars. However, offspring born in captivity react calmly to their caregivers.

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, the head is large, the muzzle is blunt.

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. They currently live in Tasmania's national parks 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.

Animals live in burrows and under trunks 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.

Representing scavengers, the Tasmanian devil plays 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.

Classical zoological science identifies in its taxonomy up to 5,500 modern species mammals. All of them differ markedly from each other in size, areola, structure and external signs. One of the most specific animals of this class was a warlike predator, which received the name Tasmanian devil.

It is the only representative of its genus, but scientists have noted its significant similarity to quolls and, most distantly, to the extinct marsupial thylacine.

Description and appearance

The animal Tasmanian devil is a predatory animal marsupial mammal. This is the only representative of its kind. Scientists managed to establish family connection with the marsupial wolf, but it is expressed rather weakly.

Tasmanian marsupial devil- a small predator, about the size of an average dog, that is, 12-15 kilograms. The height at the withers is 24-26 centimeters, less often 30. Outwardly, one might think that this is a clumsy animal due to its asymmetrical paws and rather plump physique. However, it is a very dexterous and successful predator. This is facilitated by very strong jaws, powerful claws, and his keen vision and hearing.

This is interesting! The tail deserves special attention - an important sign of the health of the animal. If it is covered with thick fur and is very thick, then the Tasmanian marsupial devil is well fed and absolutely healthy. Moreover, the animal uses it as a fat store for difficult times.

Character and behavior of the Tasmanian devil

Tasmanian devils have a uniquely grumpy disposition and will fly into manic rages when threatened by a predator, fighting for a mate, or defending their prey. Early European settlers nicknamed it "the devil" after witnessing similar displays in which it bared its teeth, attacked, and let out a chilling, guttural roar.

This amazingly vicious mammal has coarse brown or black fur, and its stocky build reminds us of a growing bear cub. Most have a white stripe or spot on the chest, as well as light spots on the sides or back. These animals have short hind legs and long front legs, which gives them the gait of a pig.

The Tasmanian devil is the world's largest carnivorous marsupial, reaching 76 cm (30 in) in length and up to 12 kg (26 lb) in weight, although its size varies depending on the specific habitat and food availability. The non-standard size head is armed with strong muscular jaws and sharp teeth. In terms of bite force per unit weight, its bite is one of the most powerful bites among mammals.

The Tasmanian devil is clearly a carnivore, hunting small prey such as snakes, fish, birds and insects and often feasting on carrion in groups. They often make a lot of noise as they fight for position while eating a large carcass. Like other marsupials, when they are well fed, their tails swell with stored fat.

Tasmanian devils are hermits and nocturnal, spending their days in burrows, caves or hollow logs and emerging at night to feed. They use their excellent sense of smell, long whiskers and eyesight to avoid predators and find prey or carrion. They eat almost anything they can get their teeth into, and when they do find food, they are very voracious, eating everything including organs, hair and bones.

Females give birth after three weeks of gestation to 20 to 30 very tiny babies. These raisin-sized babies crawl through their mother's fur and into her pouch. However, the mother only has four nipples, so not all babies survive. Babies emerge from the pouch after about four months and, as a rule, are weaned by their mother in the sixth month or do so on their own in the eighth month.

Previously, Tasmanian devils lived throughout Australia, today they are found in wild conditions can be seen on the island state of Tasmania of the same name. In Tasmania, they live throughout the island, although some can be found in coastal forests and bushes. Experts believe that their disappearance on the mainland is due to the appearance of the dingo or Asian dogs.

In the late 1800s, efforts were made to eradicate Tasmanian devils (farmers mistakenly believed they were killing livestock, although they have been known to take poultry), were very successful. In 1941, the Australian government classified the Tasmanian devil as a protected species, and today its numbers are constantly growing.

Habitats

Tasmanian devils once lived throughout almost all of Australia, but today they live exclusively on the island of Tasmania. Researchers believe that devils disappeared from the mainland at the same time that native tribes spread across Australia, and wild dingoes appeared about 3 thousand years ago.

Today, Tasmanian devils, as the name suggests, live on the island of Tasmania, but most of these animals can be found in wooded areas off the coast. In the 19th century, Tasmanian devils began to be mercilessly exterminated, as local farmers viewed them as sworn enemies of their livestock. They almost became extinct, but timely measures taken to save these animals allowed them to increase their populations.

Security status: an endangered species

Tasmanian devils became protected in 1941, but their population has declined by 60 percent in the past decade. Scientists believe that the reason for the decline in animal numbers is mainly due to an infectious, deadly form of cancer that affects devils and spreads very quickly. Tumors form on the devils' faces, making it more difficult for the animals to eat. The devils problem is also movement. road transport on the roads.

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 consume everything without wasting: they eat bones, fur, internal organs and 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

The female, who has reached the age of two, goes out in search of a male. Even when mating marsupial devils are very aggressive, because they are used to living alone and do not tolerate being in a group of their own kind. After three days During their time together, the female drives away the male and this brings her great pleasure.

Pregnancy for a female marsupial devil lasts only three weeks. The offspring appear somewhere in late April or early May, since the mating period begins at the end of March or early April. The female gives birth to twenty cubs, which weigh no more than twenty-nine grams. But only four survive. The babies that do not survive are eaten by the female.

Tasmanian devils are born very small, but already at three months their eyes open and hair appears on their body, and at that time they weigh approximately two hundred grams. After a month, they can get out of the female’s pouch and explore the world on their own, but they feed on milk for the next two months.

The lifespan of a marsupial devil is no more than eight years.

Natural enemies of the Tasmanian devil

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 predator birds 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 verge of complete extinction, and hunting was prohibited, but the population was restored. Now it is stable, although subject to seasonal fluctuations.