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SPECIES PROFILE

Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)

Sarcophilus

IUCN STATUS

Endangered

Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) — Tasmania only (extinct on mainland Australia)

CONSERVATION STATUS

Endangered

CLASS

Mammalia

GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE

Tasmania only (extinct on mainland Australia)

DIET

Carnivorous/Scavenger

HABITAT

Forests, woodlands, and coastal scrublands

🔬 Classification

PHYLUM

Chordata

CLASS

Mammalia

ORDER

Dasyuromorphia

FAMILY

Dasyuridae

GENUS

Sarcophilus

📋 Description

SIZE

Up to 80 cm long, including tail; weighs 6-13 kg

COLORATION

Black fur with white patches on chest and sides; red ears when agitated

ADAPTATIONS

Strong jaws for crushing bones, keen sense of smell

🌿 Ecology

HABITAT

Forests, woodlands, and coastal scrublands

DIET

Carnivorous/Scavenger

GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

Tasmania only (extinct on mainland Australia)

REPRODUCTION

Litters of up to 4 joeys born after a 21-day gestation, only 2-3 survive in pouch for 4 months

DIET DETAILS

Feeds on carrion, small mammals, birds, and insects

⚠️ Threats & Conservation

PRIMARY THREATS

Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), habitat loss, and roadkill

💡 Interesting Facts

1

Bone Crunchers: Tasmanian devils crush bones with 1,200 psi bites, consuming entire carcasses in Cradle Mountain’s forests, cleaning ecosystems. DFTD, decimating 80% of their 15,000 population since 1996, drives captive breeding at Bonorong to save this iconic marsupial.

2

Night Screamers: Their eerie screams, audible 1 km away in Narawntapu’s scrublands, deter rivals and attract mates, reinforcing their nocturnal dominance. These vocalizations, paired with fierce displays, maintain social hierarchies, though roadkill claims thousands yearly.

🔭 Sighting Guide

📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park in Tasmania has northern end near visitor center and Dove Lake road for devil sightings at night

Narawntapu National Park in Tasmania features Springlawn area near lagoon for devil scavenging and foraging in evening

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Tasmania near Hobart offers close encounters with rehabilitated devils

🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT

Join night tours to see devils scavenging or feeding.

🎯 SIGHTING TIPS

April-October. Cooler months make devils active in forests for scavenging.