Twelve Tasmanian devil facts, fact-checked
The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is the largest carnivorous marsupial alive, and facing an almost unique threat. Full profile in our Tasmanian devil guide.
1. The strongest bite for its size
Relative to body mass, the devil's bite exceeds that of any other living mammal, crushing bone and consuming carcasses entirely.
2. A contagious cancer threatens them
Devil facial tumour disease spreads through biting, passing living cancer cells between individuals — one of only a few transmissible cancers known.
3. Populations crashed
The disease has removed a large majority of affected populations since the 1990s.
4. Some are evolving resistance
Genetic changes associated with survival have been detected within only a few generations — unusually fast observable evolution.
5. They are the largest carnivorous marsupial
Following the extinction of the thylacine in the twentieth century.
6. The screech earned the name
Early European settlers named them for unearthly night-time screeching at carcasses.
7. Their jaws open 80 degrees
A wide gape used in threat display as well as feeding.
8. Joeys are the size of a grain of rice
Females have four teats but can bear far more young; only the first to attach survive.
9. They eat everything
Bone, fur and all, which makes them important carcass processors reducing blowfly and disease burden.
10. Their fur fluoresces
Devil fur glows blue under ultraviolet light. No function is established.
11. Insurance populations exist
Disease-free captive populations and island introductions safeguard against extinction in the wild.
12. They returned to mainland Australia
Devils were reintroduced to a mainland sanctuary in 2020, roughly 3,000 years after disappearing from it.
Read the full Tasmanian devil wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.
