Lifespan5 years in the wild
Quick facts
DietCarrion and small animals
HabitatForests, shrublands
RangeTasmania
The Tasmanian Devils
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World’s largest carnivorous marsupial
The Tasmanian devil has held this title for over 80 years.
Prior to 1936, the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world was the thylacline, commonly known as the Tasmanian tiger. The thylacline is a distant relative of the Tasmanian devil and was over twice its size!
Sounds scary
The name “devil” may come from the sounds they make.
They make eerie growls while searching for food at night. And when a group of them feeds together, they screech and scream.
Devil’s milk
Mothers produce milk that researchers say can kill hard-to-treat infections.
Experts believe this helps their young grow stronger and with further studies, it could be a useful weapon against antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
Together, we protect wildlife
Devils in danger
Tasmanian devils are severely threatened by a contagious cancer called devil facial tumor disease (DFTD). Since the disease was discovered in 1996, the population of the devils has declined by 80%.
The cancer is spread when they bite each other, as they do during both mating and fighting. The facial tumors that grow prevent the Tasmanian devils from eating.
The IUCN Status
EN
Endangered
At very high risk of extinction in the wild
Saving the devils
Under the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, cancer-free devils are moved to remote locations to protect them from infection.
We support the Program by funding veterinary services to care for the devils, and to conduct health checks of pre-release animals.
The devils in our care are part of a DFTD-free assurance colony to help secure the species from extinction.
The IUCN Status
EN
Endangered
At very high risk of extinction in the wild
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species.
DD
Data Deficient
Unknown risk of extinction
LC
Least Concern
At relatively low risk of extinction
NT
Near Threatened
Likely to become vulnerable in the near future
VU
Vulnerable
At high risk of extinction in the wild
EN
Endangered
At very high risk of extinction in the wild
CR
Critically Endangered
At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
EW
Extinct in the Wild
Survives only in captivity
EX
Extinct
No surviving individuals in the wild or in captivity
Special Experiences
Tasmanian Devil Keeper Talk
Daily Tasmanian Devil Exhibit, Tasmanian Devil Trail 8:00pmCan Brave the Light Rain
Did you know that when Tasmanian devils feed together, they screech and scream? Hear them in action when they’re at their most active — mealtimes and discover more about them from our Keepers!
