Life Cycle of a Tasmanian Devil

The Tasmanian devil was found across Australia, but now the dingo have driven them to their last stand in Tasmania. To use U.S. classifications, they are considered a "threatened species." These little marsupials, the largest that eat meat, earned their name as they are born fighting.

  1. Mating

    • The devils are solitary animals and get together just one time a year, in March, to mate.

    Gestation and Pouch Life

    • Gestation only last about three weeks when the female gives birth to around 20 pups. She only has four nipples so the rest starve and are ejected from the pouch.

    Den Life

    • At around 16 weeks, the pups are kicked out of the pouch and moved into a den. At first they stay inside, except to peep out to see the world.

    Adolescence

    • As the pups grow, they start to venture farther and farther out. They also follow around the female till she leaves them at age 40 weeks.

    Adults

    • The devils are on their own now. The males will be ready to mate in March. Mating for the females will wait until their second year.