Tasmanian Devils
K.L.
Description
- eyes are small and beady
- they have a short, stocky build
- tails up to half of their body length
- large canines
- white patches on neck and/or throat
- smooth, black fur
- curved claws and toes
- communicates with loud and agressive grunts
- mammal
- males are 23.5-30 inches and 15-20 pounds
- females are 20-25 inches and 11-15 pounds
Food Chain and Habitat
- makes dens in hollowed logs
- lives in mixed rainforests
- they're carnivorous
- hunts things like snakes, birds, fish, and insects
- from Tasmania, Australia
- cool temperature climates
Adaptations
- uses sense of smell instead of eyesight to hunt
- nocturnal
- black and white coat provides camoflage
- scavengers
- sharp teeth
- hunts alone
- they can bark, growl, snort, wail, and scream (usually to establish dominance)
- can emit a pungent odor
Reason for Endangerment and Critical Information
- a cancer called devil facial tumor disease (DFTD) that only affects Tasmanian devils is spreading
- it's spread through bites
- scientists are studying the disease to see which cancer cells are involved and so they can find a cure
- wildlife officers watch the Tasmanian devils and check them for the disease before releasing them into the wild so they can see where DFTD is infecting
Works Cited
"DPIPWE." Devils under Threat. N.p., 8 10 2012. Web. 30 May 2013. <http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/EKOE-6FM9UZ>.
Grajek, Gordon. Tasmanian Devil. N.p.. Web. 30 May 2013. <http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/cook/7thgrade/tasmanian.htm>.
Hansford, Dave. National Geographic. N.p., 21 5 2008. Web. 30 May 2013. <news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/05/080521-endangered-devils.html>.
Hare, Tony. Animal Fact File. New York : Marshall Cavendish Books, 1999. 170-171. Print.
2012. Photograph. Baby Animal ZooWeb. 1 Jun 2013. <http://babyanimalzoo.com/tasmanian-devils-are-devilishly-cute/tasmanian-devil-baby-cute>.
"Tasmanian Devil." Ballrat Wildlife Park. N.p.. Web. 30 May 2013. <http://www.wildlifepark.com.au/wildlife/tasmanian-devil/>.
"Tasmanian Devil - Fierce Marsupial Facing Tough Times." Factzoo. N.p.. Web. 30 May 2013. <http://www.factzoo.com/mammals/tasmanian-devil-fierce-marsupial.html>.
"Tasmanian Devil-Habitat and Behavior." Devils on the Verandah. N.p.. Web. 30 May 2013. <http://devilsonverandah.com.au/tasmanian_devil_habitat.htm>.
"Tasmanian Devil." National Geographic. N.p.. Web. 30 May 2013. <http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/tasmanian-devil/>.
"Wiki Answers." . N.p.. Web. 30 May 2013. <http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_adaptations_do_Tasmanian_devils_need_to_survive_in_their_environment>.
"Wiki Answers." . N.p.. Web. 30 May 2013. <http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_weather_like_in_the_Tasmanian_devils_habitat>.