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Anyone who is even a little familiar with zoology knows that this science is studying a large number of mammals. An interesting representative of this class is the Tasmanian devil. It refers to marsupials. It should be said that it remotely resembles a marsupial wolf, which, unfortunately, today, as a species, has disappeared.
Where did the name come from?
The first acquaintance with him happened a very long time ago. He was seen by English officers and sailors off the coast of Tasmania. They saw a fierce predator. He was equipped with strong sharp teeth and let out a fierce roar. He was immediately considered an enemy of livestock. His teeth were so strong that even large bones and cartilage were nothing to him. He grind them like a mill. Sometimes he did not even mind eating carrion.
Such a name will intrigue any, even a little curious person. That Tasmanian is understandable because it was first discovered off the coast of Tasmania. But why the devil? Probably, he was so christened because he let out such a ferocious roar that sometimes goosebumps went on his skin.
But experts still argue about the name. It's all about the sound. Sometimes he is called the Tasmanian devil. For the first time the word Tasmanian was spoken in a university work. But some scholars argue that the name Tasmanian in the lexical plan is more correct.
Today the most common is the name Tasmanian, which gives reason to assert the correctness of its application.
External description
Imbalances can be observed in the limbs. The length of the front legs is significantly greater than the hind limbs. This is not to say that this animal can run fast, but it can reach speeds of up to 13 km per hour. However, this pace is enough for him only at short distances.
The body is covered with black fur. The surface of the chest may be in rare white spots. But similar pigmentation can not be seen in all representatives of similar mammals. Usually the male is much larger than the female. An adult can gain a mass of 8 kg, and grow up to 65 cm in length. Females are more modest in size. Sometimes, in individual representatives, body weight can reach even 12 kg.
There are long toes on the legs. There are 5 of them. Four of them are directed forward, and one is looking to the side. It is not in vain that nature has disposed so. In this way, the predator most successfully holds food. There is not one finger on the hind legs, but the claws on the remaining impressive sizes. They provide the animal with a strong grip. It literally tears the prey apart.
You will not envy anyone who experiences the bite of this animal. It bites very painfully, and the force of compression of the jaws can reach 553 N. The marsupial beast can open its mouth quite widely. The muzzle is equipped with a long mustache.Of course, they are not for the beauty of the animal - they are endowed with the function of smell. With their help, a predator can quite easily track down a prey in the dark. The sense of smell is expressed so strongly that he is able to smell the victim at a distance of 1 km.
It is noteworthy that the devil is well versed in relation to moving objects. But if they are motionless, then the orientation becomes difficult. The habitat is the Australian state of Tasmania. They are literally scattered throughout its territory.
Lifestyle characterization
The beast is a typical nocturnal and twilight predator. In the afternoon it is inactive. Climbing into a deep hole or shrub, and there rests. Representatives of the younger generation love to be in trees, but as they grow, it becomes more difficult to climb them. An adult, if experiencing a strong feeling of hunger, can devour young representatives. Climbing a tree, they thereby show the instinct of self-preservation.
In the afternoon, this beast is almost invisible. It is considered great luck if you manage to photograph it. With the onset of night, the devil begins to diligently go around his territory. He has the only goal - to find prey. His possessions extend to a distance of 20 km. If the paths intersect with other representatives, there is a struggle.
In addition, the aquatic environment is also a great place to live. They swim perfectly and can overcome significant waterways. They are not afraid of cold water, they easily overcome a river 50 m wide.
Power Features
Since the devil is a predator, he will never give up large prey. Do not mind eating an animal the size of a small kangaroo. In reality, they prefer carrion feeding to hunting a living beast. These are extremely voracious animals. For a day they can consume food, which is 40% of their body volume. Of course, this can only be observed if they are very hungry. Favorite food is wombat. But this does not mean that they will abandon other mammals for their lunch.
They like to eat frogs, various reptiles, fish, insects. Do not mind eating livestock, which includes sheep. Cases are described when sea rats become prey. This can be observed if hunting takes place near the water. If a dead fish is thrown to the shore by a wave, then they will eat it with pleasure.
If the beast is near a person’s dwelling, he often drags house shoes. At the same time, he is able to pull her into small pieces. Absolutely everything that gets into their strong teeth can go into play. It can be leather collars, denim pants, plastic products.
The devil can lay eyes on the sheep. Usually he sniffs them from a distance of 15 m. If it becomes clear that the victim is not able to fight back, then the real hunt starts. When the victim is defeated, the meal begins. During it, the beast makes sounds in the amount of 20 pieces. These data were obtained in the process of studying them.
These animals clearly tend to dominate. This they show in the form of a fierce roar or the adoption of a threatening pose. The greatest aggressiveness is manifested by adult males. A ferocious posture includes a stand on its hind legs. Free forelimbs are used for attack. From the outside, this picture is somewhat reminiscent of sumo wrestlers.
Individual moments in animal behavior
These animals are not characterized by group consolidation. They act more alone, spending so much of their time. This can be observed after they wean from the mother’s breast after birth. But about absolute loneliness it is very difficult to say. Evidence of this is recent research.It is established that they have a radar, through which they communicate with each other.
Studies have been able to establish that these animals have the ability to establish a large contact network. Within its framework, their communication takes place. Animals expressly care about their safety. To do this, they use three or even four levels of the den. The former wombat mink is used by the female while she is pregnant. In such a home, she feels quite comfortable and is almost completely safe.
This representative of the fauna has the character of an angry grumbler. It has a pronounced aggressiveness. When meeting with the enemy, opening his mouth wide, exposes quite serious sharp teeth.
The beast can choose a refuge in the prickly grass or find some kind of cave. It is noteworthy that the devil spends almost the entire life in the same mink. Then it is inherited by the youth. The piercing menacing sounds the animal makes for a reason. In this way, it protects itself. The intensity of the scream changes as the danger approaches, and it is of a different nature. He is able to utter such a cry that literally tears the soul. He either screams piercingly, or just wheezes.
These animals are great masters of hiding. If it participates in a hide-and-seek competition, it will probably take a prize.
As a rule, a marsupial predator poses no threat to humans. However, cases of attacks on tourists have been described. If the beast appears nearby, it is necessary to pay increased attention and avoid the presence of any provocative actions.
Common diseases
Animals, like all other members of the mammalian class, are susceptible to various diseases. At the end of the last century, a disease was described, which was called the "Facial tumor of the devil." Among representatives of this species, this disease is widespread. According to statistics, they affect from 20 to 80% of the entire population. It has a transmissible transmission path and can spread from one animal to another.
Characteristically, a cure for this disease has not yet been developed. Animals themselves are in search of mechanisms to combat this disease. Such mechanisms really exist and are reduced to the following positions:
- Currently, these animals fat above sexual maturation. Significantly increased the number of females that are pregnant, whose age does not exceed 1 year. This fact is a good support of the reproduction function at the required level.
- Reproduction processes are carried out throughout the year. Previously, the length of the mating season was only a couple of months a year.
In addition, animals are susceptible to cancer. Scientists believe that transmissible tumors may well appear in humans.
Propagation Features
Females become ready for this process when they have puberty. Usually this can be observed when their age reaches two years. At this age, they become able to bear offspring twice a year. During this period, they produce eggs. The beginning of the reproductive cycle is March or April. During this period, the environment abounds with potential victims. Therefore, reproduction at this time does not occur by chance. This is due to increased supply of food. After the birth of young individuals and will feed them. Animals mate day and night. To do this, they choose a secure location. Among males there is a real war for females. The female will choose for herself the one who occupies a dominant position in this struggle.
The copulation process may take as long as five days. Even cases when he left 8 days are described.Within 21 days, ovulation can occur three times. These representatives are typical monogamous animals. If the female after mating is not protected by the male, then she may well mate again with another representative.
Mother has 4 nipples. In total, about 30 cubs will be born. At birth, they look like small and completely helpless creatures. Only one who survives to take a place at the mother’s chest will survive.
Video: Tasmanian Devil (Looney Tunes)
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