What adaptations do Tasmanian devils need to survive in their environment?

Answer 1

The Tasmanian devil survives in its environment assisted by a number of unique adaptations.

Tasmanian devils have an excellent sense of smell, which assists it with nocturnal hunting. The Tasmanian devil is a scavenger, eating dead animals already killed by other animals, and feeding on roadkill. There are no dingoes on the island of Tasmania, so the Tasmanian devil is the largest carnivorous marsupial on Tasmania. Devils also hunt live prey.

Because it is nocturnal, and prefers dense bushland shelter, its black coat with white stripe provides excellent camouflage in both the night, and in dense bushland and undergrowth.

Tasmanian devils can also emit a pungent odor as a defence mechanism when threatened. They have sharp teeth and an incredibly strong bite. The animal also has a frightening devil-like shriek, enough to scare away a curious predator, even though this noise is usually emitted during territorial fights, rather than as a defence.

Answer 2

One of the special characteristics of the Tasmanian devil is its range of excellent senses. It will use its acute sense of smell to locate carrion during the day, but especially at night. It has extra long whiskers that help to give it a sense of its own 'space' so that when it is feeding on carrion, along with other Tasmanian devils, it does not get too close. Getting too close would mean increasing its chances of being bitten by another Tasmanian devil, but the long whiskers help it discern when it is within striking distance.

The Tasmanian devil is nocturnal, and an animal that prefers dense bushland shelter. Its black coat with white stripe provides excellent camouflage in both the night, and in dense bushland and undergrowth.

Tasmanian devils can also emit a pungent odor as a defence mechanism when threatened. It has a frightening devil-like shriek, enough to scare away a curious predator, even though this noise is usually emitted during territorial fights, rather than as a defence.

The Tasmanian devil is a scavenger, eating dead animals already killed by other animals, and on roadkill. There are no dingoes on the island of Tasmania, so the Tasmanian devil is the largest carnivorous marsupial on Tasmania. Devils also hunt live prey.

Answer 3

A number of activities are being undertaken to prevent the ultimate extinction of the Tasmanian devil. Scientists are breeding Tasmanian Devils in captivity to limit the spread of the Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). This disease is a great threat to Tasmanian devils living in the wild, affecting some two-thirds of the population.

The Australian Government now has initiatives and programs set up to preserve the species. Tasmanian devils are being housed in captive breeding programmes, which should prevent the extinction of the marsupial, but not necessarily in the wild. In January 2010, a team of international scientists pinpointed the genetic marker that predisposes Tasmanian devils towards this fatal disease. With this knowledge, there is now a better chance of a cure, which would also stop the disease decimating the wild Tasmanian devil population.

Answer 4

The Tasmanian devil has a number of strategies that help it survive.

• The Tasmanian devil has excellent senses. It will use its strong sense of smell to locate carrion during the day, but especially at night. Being nocturnal, it has excellent vision, and it also has a very acute sense of hearing.
• The Tasmanian devil is nocturnal, and an animal that prefers dense bushland shelter. Its black coat with white stripe provides excellent camouflage in both the night, and in dense bushland and undergrowth. It stays in the shadows and hides in undergrowth during the day to improve its chances of survival.
• Tasmanian devils can also emit a pungent odor as a defence mechanism when threatened.
• It has a frightening devil-like shriek, enough to scare away a curious predator, even though this noise is usually emitted during territorial fights, rather than as a defence.
• The Tasmanian devil is a scavenger, eating dead animals already killed by other animals, and on roadkill. There are no dingoes on the island of Tasmania, so the Tasmanian devil is the largest carnivorous marsupial on Tasmania. Devils also hunt live prey.