The Tasmanian Devil is a small creature, but its jaws are strong enough to crush bones. They are in danger of extinction due to a contagious disease that affects only Tasmanian Devils.
Body length: 57-65cm
Tail length: 24.5-26cm
(Source: Doubutsu Daihyakka* Heibonsha) (*The Encyclopedia of Animals)
The Tasmanian Devil lives on the Australian island state of Tasmania.
Tasmanian Devils attack and eat small animals such as snakes and birds. They often fight over carcasses, a common meal for the Tasmanian devil.
The mother raises the baby in her pouch, just as a kangaroo or koala does. Although the Tasmanian Devil is no larger than a house cat, it is still the largest carnivore with a pouch.
Exterminated because they were a threat to livestock
The Tasmanian Devil lives only on the Australian island state of Tasmania. Contrary to their adorable baby bear-like appearance, their jaws are powerful enough to crush bones. The name “devil” comes from their ferocious screech and tendency to eat carcass meat. They were exterminated because they were thought to be a threat to livestock. However, since 1941, the Tasmanian Devil has been declared a protected animal and has since become a favorite to many people.
Widespread disease causes chaos!
Unexpectedly, however, the Tasmanian Devil is now on the brink of extinction. A contagious form of cancer that affects only Tasmanian Devils is spreading very quickly. There is now a movement underway to relocate unaffected devils to a different island. But now the home they will someday return to is becoming unsafe due to an increase in foxes that were originally brought to the Tasmanian island by humans.
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