Tasmanian Devil
Scientific Name: Sarcophilis Harrissi
Tasmanian Devils are the largest carnivorous marsupials in Australia. They get their name from their fierce displays, which include harsh screeches and snarls and opening their mouths wide to show their sharp teeth. They feed mostly on the remains of dead animals, but they also may kill and eat reptiles, birds, mammals and other animals.
They have sharp powerful claws and a backward facing pouch. Male devils have a head to body length of 652mm. Females are smaller, reaching are length of 570mm. 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.
They have sharp powerful claws and a backward facing pouch. Male devils have a head to body length of 652mm. Females are smaller, reaching are length of 570mm. 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.
Where Tasmanian devils live?
More than 5000 years ago, Tasmanian Devils were common on mainland Australia. Today, they are only found in Tasmania. They make homes in dens under rocks, logs and even under people's houses.
Humans & Devils
Tasmanian devils were originally seen as a pest due to raiding poultry yards. Before 1941, farmers trapped and poisoned Tasmanian devils to keep them away from their livestock. Tasmanian Devils numbers declined due heavy human persecution. Their population gradually increased after they were protected by law in June 1941. In 1996, a kind of cancer called devil facial tumour disease(DFTD) became another threat to the Tasmanian devil’s survival, killing tens of thousands of the animals. The discovery of DFTD once again saw a heavy decline and governments are working hard to save the endangered marsupial.
Save the Tassie Devil
Devil Island Project Group and Save the Tasmanian Devil are two of the many programs people have created to help save the Tasmanian Devil from extinction by devil facial tumour disease (DFTD). Devil Island Project Group(DIP) works collaboratively with the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program. Their mission is to establish facilities that secure disease free populations of Tasmanian devils living in their natural habitat with optimum welfare conditions. Save the Tasmanian Devil Program is an initiative of the Australian and Tasmanian governments. Their mission is to see the Tasmanian devil thriving again in the wild.
How can you help?
Devil Island Project Group has a online fundraising network. They have two schemes called "The Great Devil Walls of Tasmania" (GDWOT). They are planning to build a barrier across the Freycinet Peninsular in Tasmania and a barrier across the North West of the State. You can help raise the first $500,000 to get them started on building the fence for the first barrier or you can create your own event. If you want to help them spread the awareness, donate, fundraise or even create your own event. You can help Save the Tasmanian Devil Program by making donations over $2. The cost of housing a Tasmanian devil is $7000 for a year, $584 for a month and $135 for a week.
If you want to find out more information or donate click on one of the links at the bottom of the page.
If you want to find out more information or donate click on one of the links at the bottom of the page.
What do other people think about the status of species?
Family- My family thinks that the status of the Tasmanian devil is really bad because if the disease gets even worse and spreads faster we won't have any more Tasmanian devils left except for the ones in zoos around Australia and the ones the programs saved.
Public- The public thinks that the status of the Tasmanian devil is vulnerable because the population of the devils on the wild are shrinking and are grateful the governments of Australia and Tasmania starting programs to save the Tasmanian devil.
Public- The public thinks that the status of the Tasmanian devil is vulnerable because the population of the devils on the wild are shrinking and are grateful the governments of Australia and Tasmania starting programs to save the Tasmanian devil.
Did you know?
Links
Save the Tasmanian Devil Program: http://www.tassiedevil.com.au/tasdevil.nsf/
Devil Island Project Group: http://www.savethetasmaniandevil.org.au/
Donate: http://www.savethetasmaniandevil.com.au/
Devil Island Project Group: http://www.savethetasmaniandevil.org.au/
Donate: http://www.savethetasmaniandevil.com.au/
By Felicia Yip