Scientific Name -Sarcophilus harrisii

Classification – Marsupial

Gender Names – Male – male; Female – female; Baby – joey

Collective Noun – no specific name

Average Length – 57 – 65cm (22 – 27in)

Average Weight – Females – 6 – 8kg (13 – 18lbs); Males – 10 – 11kg (22 – 24lbs)

Speed – 24km/h (15mph)

Life Expectancy – 5 – 8 years

 Mating Season –  March or April

Pregnancy – three weeks

Special Features –  Tasmanian devils are so called because they have fierce tempers. They are nocturnal and their vision is mainly black and white.

Family Unit – Adult Tasmanian devils are solitary creatures spending much time on their own apart from mating season. They live in dens for shelter and protection. Babies stay in their mother’s pouch for 3 months and then stay in the den until they are 6 months old. They are fully independent at 9 months.

Geographical Distribution – Tasmania

World Population – range from 10,000 to 100,000

Conservation Status – Threatened

Natural Habitat – Forest underbrush, burrows, caves and hollow logs

Diet – Mice, birds, fish, insects and road kill

Predators – Snakes, human, wild dogs

 

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