I was asked just the other day if the Tasmanian Devil is a real animal or not. They are absolutely real and this weird little critter is the perfect choice for our next zoo animal. I can't believe that November was the last time we talked zoo animals, the time has just flown!
The Tasmanin Devil looks kinda cute with it's funny little ears, rotund body and earnest facial expressions... until it opens it's mouth.
Although the Tasmanian Devil isn't very big, comparable in size to a fat pet rabbit, those jaws are super strong, like that of a large dog.
So don't be fooled by that twitching nose, these guys are dangerous. Tasmanian Devils make a horrid screeching sound and they smell bad - anything described as pungent is going to be an acquired aroma - and let's not forget those super strong claws either.
Cute as a button, nasty as sin, steer clear of these little devils if you come across one while travelling around our lush island state of Tasmania.
Tasmanian Devil
Conservation status: EndangeredDistribution: Australian island state of Tasmania including Robbins Island
Habitat: Rainforests, eucalypt forests, farmlands and even outer city suburbs.
The Tasmanian devil is the largest surviving carnivorous marsupial.
Sources:
Wikipedia
Perth Zoo
Find the Tasmanian Devil in the Australian Bushwalk next to the koalas at Perth Zoo.
Scary! But great shots!
ReplyDeleteThanks =D
DeleteWonderful shots but a scary animal.
ReplyDeleteR. Täysin arkista
I wouldn't want to meet one up close.
DeleteWow small but not so cute with those jaws, I think I wont rush to have them here on tha farm, some amazing photos though! #AnimalTales
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'd be worried about the chooks! They are carnivorous but mostly scavengers, I'm not sure what their predatory skills are like.
DeleteMy daughter had Australia as her topic at school in the UK before we moved here to SA and she was obsessed (for some reason!) with Tasmanian devils. She wants to visit Tasmania to see one; at least now I know that if we do go to Australia we are likely to land in Perth as that is the closest place to fly to - we can still see them there!
ReplyDeleteThat's quite a change from the usual little girl obsession of horses. Your daughter sounds like a real character and smart too. I hope she gets the chance to see Tasmanian Devils in the flesh one day.
DeleteLooks scary, especially the third photo! But looks nothing like the Tasmanian devil in the cartoon ;) #animaltales
ReplyDeleteI must admit - I didn't even realise the cartoon character was meant to be a Tasmanian Devil. I obviously didn't pay much attention as a child.
Deletedevilish smile ;-).
ReplyDeleteIt's the teeth.
DeleteFor a moment there I thought you had found one in your backyard. They sure do look scary when they open their mouths.
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad I don't have to worry about one of these showing up in my backyard.
DeleteCute little devils! I was awarded with seeing these in a zoo as a kid, and a couple of them started fighting - It did look something like the tornado in the cartoons :) Quick and noisy little creatures!
ReplyDeleteI didn't seem them having a fight, that would have been something. It sounds like it was memorable.
Deletethat does look vicious
ReplyDeleteIt sure does, I wouldn't want to upset one.
Deletewhat amazing photos. I loved seeing the real thing as I had the cartoon animation in my mind. Now I know what they look like. Angela stopping by from #AnimalTales
ReplyDeleteThey are quite different in real life from Tas in the cartoons.
DeleteAww, he's so cute! Love him. Visiting zoos and aquariums are my favorite vacation things to do. Maybe I'll make it out your way someday
ReplyDeleteI would love to take you to all our local zoo's - they're pretty awesome.
DeleteIt looked so cute and cuddly!! UNTIL it opened its mouth!! Yikes!
ReplyDeleteHey, thanks for making my question into a post! Cool!
Melinda
My pleasure =) I wasn't sure you would want me to mention who asked the question. ;)
DeleteI'd love to see a Tasmanian Devil although perhaps not face to face in the wild! Many thanks for adding more of your wonderful antipodean wildlife to #AnimalTales
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would want to meet one face to face in the wild or in captivity without a nice big dividing fence.
DeleteOh wow they are amazing. I have never seen one in real life. Would they attack you in the wild?
ReplyDeleteI think any scared animal attack. I don't think they would attack for any other reason though, they are not territorial.
Deletenothing at all like the ones on the cartoons :) They are kind of ugly though really, like a really big rat kind of thing.
ReplyDeleteI prefer to think of them as a wombat with a long face.
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