Special Features About a Tasmanian Devil

Tasmanian devils are named after their island habitat on the island of Tasmania, just off the coast of Australia. These small creatures might look innocent, but they have very sharp teeth and tough jaws that make it possible for them to chew through the bones of their prey. Tasmanian devils have many special features, from their ability to change their body temperature to their characteristic scream.

  1. Location

    • One of the most defining characteristics of the Tasmanian devil is its location --- the island state of Tasmania. The Tasmanian devil is found only on this island. Tasmanian devils are typically found in coastal scrub or in eucalyptus forests on Tasmania. They are natural scavengers and prefer to live near human settlements so they can scrounge for food.

    Diet

    • Tasmanian devils enjoy eating carrion, also known as dead animals, and will eat any type of meat, even if it has been rotting for days. They have very strong jaws and sharp teeth that make it possible to chew through bone and tough flesh. Tasmanian devils will eat the entire carcass, including the meat, bones and fur of the animal. Tasmanian devils are also capable of catching their own prey and will eat snakes, birds, wallabies and lambs.

    Physical Characteristics

    • Tasmanian devils might look cute and innocent, but do not be fooled. They have a very powerful head and jaw to conceal their sharp teeth. The Tasmanian devil has a rodentlike appearance and typically weighs 6 to 8 kilos. They have a black coat, which makes it possible for them to sneak around at night. Because Tasmanian devils are are nocturnal animals, they use their ability to match the temperature of their surroundings. This special technique is known as "torpor" and helps the Tasmanian conserve energy when the temperature drops at night.

    Personality

    • Tasmanian devils have a very distinctive personality, especially when food is involved. Tasmanian devils are relatively solitary animals, but sometimes they come in contact with each other when feeding on a large carcass. When a Tasmanian devil is competing for food, it earns the "devil" portion of its name. The Tasmanian devil will emit loud, high-pitched screams, barks and growls to protect its food. As they compete for food, Tasmanian devils will use their sharp teeth to scare off other Tasmanian devils and keep the bounty for themselves.