Science_Woman
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Yep, there are really devils in Tasmania. The Tasmanian Devil (latin name: Sarcophilus harrisii, which translates to Harris's meat lover), is a carniverous marsupial native to Australia. It is the only living member of the genus Sarcophilus. It was previously found on the mainland, but there is no fossil evidence of it suviving on the mainland since the 1300-1400's. So it's only been see in Tasmania since.
They are the cutest little things though. Not the most friendly, but then most wild animals aren't. They're typically the size of a small dog. They're somewhat reminicent of a badger, but stockier and muscular. It has black fur generally, and often white markings (tips of the ears and tail, feet, and sometimes striping down the back). They can give off a rather offensive odour when stressed. If you have a chance to spend any time in the bush in Tasmania, you'll not likely see one, but you'll certainally hear them. They are extremely loud, they make a barking, growling and screeching sound. It will hunt prey and scavenge carrion, it's not too particular where it's food comes from. They are usually solitary, but if it's working a large carcus, then they will sometimes eats with other devils.
It is most closely related to quolls (another smaller marsupial carnivore), and more distantly to the extinct Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacine), which incidently is what the person above who claimed to believe the devils were extinct was refering to.
As to your questions relating to them. No they're not dangerous. They can be viscious when fighting with each other, and they do make an awfuly amount of noise, but humans are far too big for them to really consider attacking. They will if they feel threatned, or if it's a mother protecting her young, but mostly they give people a wide berth.
No, they don't generally succumb to music. Music may well soothe the savage beast, but not the Tasmanian Devil.
Do they eat people. Technically, yes I'm sure they could. If you were to be injured, or to die in the wilderness, in the territory of a Devil, then yes they would eat you. You would be just like any other dead carcus they would come across, and as such they would eat you. Do they attack and kill humans with the sole purpose of eating them? No, they don't. They're not big enough to take down a human, and they're a bit timid around people. I suspect though, a baby, that wasn't able to get away might be considered by them as food. I think a toddler though might be able to scare them off. |
Frankie S
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To my knowledge the 'Tasmanian Devil' became extinct in the 50's or before. I grew up in Melbourne and saw news reels of the last one in captivity behind bars. It was about dog size and looked nasty - like a hyena, only with a more pointed snout. I think they did eat some of the early convicts from England, who worked in horrible conditions in Tasmania, who tried to escape at night. |
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