Sarcophilus Harrisii
The Tasmanian Devil by Aidan Mattiuzzo
Dates of Discovery and Extinction
Biogeographical Data (Location, initial population size, ecology and behavior)
The Tasmanian devil is found natively in Australia. It was initially found throughout Australia until it was hunted close to extinction by farmers who thought that the Tasmanian Devil was the cause of death of livestock and after the introduction of the Devil Facial Tumor Disease was discovered. They are now currently found in only the state of Tasmania, Australia. In the early 1990’s, the population of the Tasmanian Devil was estimated to around 130,000 - 150,000, because of the Devil Facial Tumor Disease, the population has since drastically been reduced. The Devils are usually solitary, living by themselves although there have been sightings of groups of devils living together and ravaging carcasses as a group.The Tasmanian devil is nocturnal (active after dark). During the day it usually hides in a den, or dense bush. It roams considerable distances - up to 16 km - along well-defined trails in search of food. It usually ambles slowly with a characteristic gait but can gallop quickly with both hind feet together. Young Tasmanian devils are more agile however and can climb trees. Although not territorial unless fighting over a carcass, Tasmanian devils have a home range.
Density and area of the Tasmanian Devil today
Distribution of DFTD
Tasmanian Devil in a makeshift burrow within a hollowed out log
Causes Of Extinction
Possible actions that can be taken to prevent the Extinction of the Tasmanian Devil
This video below goes into depth about the Devil Facial Tumor Disease and what is being done in trying to find a vaccine to help save the species.
Bibliography
Help save the Tasmanian Devil. Global Giving, 15 May 2000. Web. 18 Feb. 2016.
https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/help-save-the-tasmanian-devil/
"Tasmanian Devil 9 (Sarcophilus Harrasii)." Tasmanian Devil 9 (Sarcophilus Harrasii). Wildscreen Arkive, 2016. Web. 18 Feb. 2016. <http://www.arkive.org/tasmanian-devil/sarcophilus-harrisii/>.