Australiana 4! Check out THIS little devil! You don't wanna cross this one.....
By James72
@James72 (26790)
Australia
November 24, 2008 1:16pm CST
This ones for you mykl! 
This particular animal exists ONLY on the southern Australian island of Tasmania. It's a marsupial just like the other three animals I have shared so far but this one is a true carnivore! They have unbelievable jaw pressure and can crunch through bones like a knife through butter! 
The Tasmanian Devil is the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world and they were hunted until 1941, but thankfully from this year onwards, they became a protected species. When they become stressed, they release a foul odour and screech using a horrible guttural sound that can be heard through the Tasmanian forest. They are also really aggressive eaters and make a lot of noise when devouring food. They are also nocturnal so are most active at night.
They discovered a disease in the 1990's that was unique to the Tasmanian Devils and has been steadily killing them off. In May of this year they were put on the endangered species list which is really sad, but the government is trying to do all they can to bring the numbers back up.
Hug one of these if you dare!
This particular animal exists ONLY on the southern Australian island of Tasmania. It's a marsupial just like the other three animals I have shared so far but this one is a true carnivore! They have unbelievable jaw pressure and can crunch through bones like a knife through butter!
The Tasmanian Devil is the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world and they were hunted until 1941, but thankfully from this year onwards, they became a protected species. When they become stressed, they release a foul odour and screech using a horrible guttural sound that can be heard through the Tasmanian forest. They are also really aggressive eaters and make a lot of noise when devouring food. They are also nocturnal so are most active at night.
They discovered a disease in the 1990's that was unique to the Tasmanian Devils and has been steadily killing them off. In May of this year they were put on the endangered species list which is really sad, but the government is trying to do all they can to bring the numbers back up.
Hug one of these if you dare! 2 people like this
5 responses
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
25 Nov 08
I am not sure of their exact size alok but they are not overly large. Maybe the size of a cat I guess; but with a more solid build, larger head and very powerful jaws. Yes, it is sad that they are endangered but they have isolated healthier groups of them and are working on breeding them further ti raise the numbers again. It will take many, many years but it's a start! Thanks for the response. 
2 people like this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
25 Nov 08
I have seen them in the nocturnal section of a zoo, but never in the wild! My guess is an approximate as it was a long time ago that I saw them..... They are definitely not as big as a dog or anything similar so I think my cat reference would be pretty close! Thank goodness they're not bigger actually because they are vicious little buggers!
Thank goodness they're not bigger actually because they are vicious little buggers!1 person likes this
@grandpa_lash (5225)
• Australia
24 Nov 08
I saw a documetary recently on the way they are dealing with this disease. It apparently has come about because the hunting and habitat loss jave reduced numbers so much the gene pool got too small, and they began breeding a genetic tendency to this disease. Recently a couple of small populations of Devils have been found in other parts of Tasmania which don't have the disease, and they have started a breeding program to try to breed the disease gene out of the little beasties. Early signs are promising, but it will take several generations before they can be certain.
Lash
2 people like this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
25 Nov 08
Well I strongly advise you NOT to hug one of these guys if you ever do make it to Australia riya. They aren't very friendly at all and if you were to give one a hug I think there is a fair chance it would end up being a one-way visit! Thanks for the response and the check is in the mail for the airfare.....
Thanks for the response and the check is in the mail for the airfare..... 1 person likes this
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
28 Nov 08
Wow! what a devil!!
The mouth looks like a cave itself! How big is it?
1 person likes this
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
28 Nov 08
Oh yes, I will...specially with those open jaws and red ears...I really have to run for life...
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
28 Nov 08
These guys aren't that big at all mimpi and are around the size of a large cat. They are very stocky and solid though so are as wide as they are tall! Their jaws are especially powerful and can crunch through pretty much anything. The worse thing about them is the sounds they make when they are angry and eating. Their ears even go bright red when they are angry and threatened, so if you ever saw a real one and his ears turned red..... RUN! lol. Thanks for the response.
