The Tasmanian devil is NOT just a Looney Tunes cartoon character! It is a most unusual mammal, found only on the island state of Tasmania, a part of Australia. It is also a marsupial, related to koalas and kangaroos. Why the “fiery” name and reputation for an animal the size of a small dog? Devils are black in color and are said to have fierce tempers! Their oversize head, neck, and jaws are well suited to crushing bones. They make eerie growls while searching for food at night. And when a group of devils feeds together at a carcass, harsh screeching and spine-chilling screams can be heard. Tasmanian devils have behaviors that may seem odd or scary to us, but they have a different meaning in devil society:
A foul odor - There is the foul odor that a devil releases, but this is produced under stress, not when the devil is calm and relaxed.
Fierce snarls and high-pitched screams -These are used to establish dominance at feeding time around a carcass.
A strong sneeze - No, they aren’t catching a cold! Instead, the sneeze may come before a fight between devils. These are mostly spectacular bluff behaviors, all part of a ritual to lessen any real fighting that may lead to serious injuries. After a nose-to-nose confrontation during which their ears flush red! one or both animals usually back down.
The Tasmanian devil is NOT just a Looney Tunes cartoon character!
It is a most unusual mammal, found only on the island state of
Tasmania, a part of Australia. It is also a marsupial, related to koalas
and kangaroos. Why the “fiery” name and reputation for an animal the
size of a small dog? Devils are black in color and are said to have
fierce tempers! Their oversize head, neck, and jaws are well suited to
crushing bones. They make eerie growls while searching for food at
night. And when a group of devils feeds together at a carcass, harsh
screeching and spine-chilling screams can be heard. Tasmanian devils
have behaviors that may seem odd or scary to us, but they have a
different meaning in devil society:
A mouth that opens quite wide— While the famous gape, or yawn, of the Tasmanian devil looks threatening, it is more likely to express fear and uncertainty than aggression.
A foul odor— There is the foul odor that a devil releases, but this is produced under stress, not when the devil is calm and relaxed.
Fierce snarls and high-pitched screams— These are used to establish dominance at feeding time around a carcass.
A strong sneeze— No, they aren’t catching a cold! Instead, the sneeze may come before a fight between devils. These are mostly spectacular bluff behaviors, all part of a ritual to lessen any real fighting that may lead to serious injuries. After a nose-to-nose confrontation—during which their ears flush red!—one or both animals usually back down.
A mouth that opens quite wide— While the famous gape, or yawn, of the Tasmanian devil looks threatening, it is more likely to express fear and uncertainty than aggression.
A foul odor— There is the foul odor that a devil releases, but this is produced under stress, not when the devil is calm and relaxed.
Fierce snarls and high-pitched screams— These are used to establish dominance at feeding time around a carcass.
A strong sneeze— No, they aren’t catching a cold! Instead, the sneeze may come before a fight between devils. These are mostly spectacular bluff behaviors, all part of a ritual to lessen any real fighting that may lead to serious injuries. After a nose-to-nose confrontation—during which their ears flush red!—one or both animals usually back down.
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