Threat Level
Endangered

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Tasmanian Devil
Fact Sheet

(Sarcophilus harrisii)

Tasmanian Devils are the largest living carnivorous marsupial (Dasyurid) in Australia. They have sharp powerful claws and a backward facing pouch. Male devils have a head to body length of 652mm. Females are smaller, reaching only 570mm in length. Male Tasmanian Devils can weigh up to 12kg, and females up to 10kg. Each Devil has distinctive white markings on their chest, which is used like a fingerprint to identify individuals.

Habitat

More than 5000 years ago, Tasmanian Devils were common on mainland Australia. Today, they are only found in Tasmania. They are however, found in virtually every type of habitat occurring in Tasmania, including suburban fringes. As Tasmanian Devils are shy, nocturnal creatures they are rarely seen in the wild.

Diet

Tasmanian Devils often scavenge dead animals (carrion) found on roadsides. Sadly, many of them are hit by cars while feeding. Tasmanian Devils travel up to 16km in search of food. They can devour an entire prey item, bones and all! A male Tasmanian Devil is capable of consuming one quarter of its own body weight in one feeding session.

Breeding

Female Tasmanian Devils commonly raise two young at one time. Joeys live in the pouch for almost four months. Once they emerge, joey devils remain in a den for a further few months, before leaving to learn the skills required for survival.

Cressy

Sex: Female

You Can Adopt Cressy

Is also one of our newest devils here from Cradle Mt in Tasmania. She is one of our most shy devils but all so is one of the cutest too. She is housed with Mac but she calls all the shots.

Jinki

Sex: Female

Jinki was hand-raised from five months of age and is very friendly. Her name means 'spirited' in aboriginal. Jinki is very placid and loves a cuddle and attention from her keepers.

Mac

You Can Adopt Mac

Mac is one of our newest devils here at the zoo, he arrived form Cradle Mt in Tasmania.  He has settled in well and has won the hearts of all the keepers, he has an amazing personality and is always on the go.  He loves his food.

Mahlee

Sex: Female

You Can Adopt Mahlee

Came to live with us here at Australia Zoo when she was one; she is now four and doing well. She loves attention but likes to up hold her tough image that she has but she too is the biggest sook ever. She loves to play with her keepers and loves all the enrichments she gets on a daily basis.