Tasmanian Devil: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Australia · day 4 of 7

Five facts

1. Devils are usually solitary, but they sometimes eat together. Up to 12 can gather, and the racket can be heard several kilometres away.
2. A study of feeding devils counted twenty body postures, including a fierce yawn, and eleven sounds, from clicks to shrieks and growls.
3. Devils look plump, yet they are surprisingly fast and tough. They can climb trees and swim across rivers.
4. Newborn devils are pink, furless and weigh around 0.20 g. With only four nipples in the pouch, few newborns survive.
5. A devil stores body fat in its tail, so healthy devils have fat tails.

The quiz

1. How many devils can gather at a noisy shared meal?

• Up to 3
• Up to 30
• Up to 50
• Up to 12 (correct)

Up to 12 devils can gather to eat together.

2. How many different vocal sounds did a study of feeding devils identify?

• Eleven (correct)
• Twenty
• Five
• Thirty

Feeding devils use eleven different sounds.

3. What surprising things can a Tasmanian devil do?

• Glide between trees
• Dig deep tunnels
• Climb trees and swim across rivers (correct)
• Hop on two legs

Devils can climb trees and swim across rivers.

4. How many nipples are in a devil's pouch?

• Two
• Four (correct)
• Six
• Eight

The pouch has only four nipples, so few newborns survive.

5. Where does a devil store body fat?

• In its ears
• In its legs
• In its back
• In its tail (correct)

A devil stores body fat in its tail.

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