Are Tasmanian devils dangerous?
TASMANIAN devils, the world’s largest carnivorous marsupials, are only dangerous if they are provoked.
On the edge of endangerment, they are being reintroduced to mainland Australia after figures showed a massive decline in their population.
What are Tasmanian devils?
Tasmanian devils are marsupials that were only found in the Australian state of Tasmania.
There are just 25,000 left in the Tasmanian wilderness.
Recently, 11 devils have been reintroduced to mainland Australia after they died out on the island 3,000 years ago, according to CNN.
Tasmanian devils were wiped out due to the arrival of dingoes and the spread of the contagious cancer Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD).
The carnivorous marsupials have been released into a 988-acre wildlife sanctuary north of Sydney, New South Wales, according to a statement released by Australian NGO Aussie Ark.
“In 100 years, we are going to be looking back at this day as the day that set in motion the ecological restoration of an entire country,” said Tim Faulkner, president of Aussie Ark.
“Not only is this the reintroduction of one of Australia’s beloved animals, but of an animal that will engineer the entire environment around it, restoring and rebalancing our forest ecology after centuries of devastation from introduced foxes and cats and other invasive predators.”
Are they dangerous?
Tasmanian devils are not dangerous unless provoked.
They have a strong jaws with a powerful bite strong enough to cut through a metal trap.
If the challenge arises, they’re capable of running for an hour straight at speeds up to 12 miles per hour.
What do they eat?
The Tasmanian devil’s official scientific name is Sarcophilus Harrisii, which translates from Latin into “flesh lover.”
They are carnivorous and typically prey on small kangaroos, frogs, birds, fish and insects.
They are known to devour every part of their prey, including fur, organs, and bones, and they typically eat 5-10 percent of their body weight each day.
The tail of the Tasmanian devil stores fat, and a skinny, depleted tail is a telltale sign of a sick or starving devil.
In the wild, a disease-free devil can typically live for six years, while in captivity they can live for eight.
What sound do they make?
The Tasmanian devil’s noises are grating and shrill.
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They let out screeching, howling, hissing and growling that can be heard at a distance, much like a cat.
Tasmanian devils typically let out their scream when they feel threatened, although they are understood to have a short temperament.
In 1954, animator Robert Porter McKimson Sr. created the Tasmanian Devil character for Looney Tunes, inspired by the animal’s abrasive nature and noises.