Here's a breakdown of why:
* Appearance: The devil's black fur, stocky build, and powerful jaws, combined with its habit of snarling and baring its teeth, gave it a fearsome look.
* Vocalization: The devil's loud, high-pitched screams are incredibly unnerving, especially in the darkness. These screams are used for communication, including territorial calls and mating calls.
* Early settlers' perception: The early European settlers were unfamiliar with the animal and saw it as a dark, menacing creature. They named it "devil" due to its appearance and sounds, which reinforced their sense of fear and unease.
The name "Tasmanian devil" stuck, even though the animal is actually quite shy and reclusive in the wild. It's important to remember that this name reflects the fear and prejudice of early settlers, rather than the true nature of the creature.