Tasmanian Devils

Tasmanian Devils at Hobart Zoo and Aquarium

Fierce, fast, and full of attitude—Tasmanian Devils are Australia’s most iconic carnivorous marsupial, and they’re only found right here in Tasmania! Despite their reputation, they’re shy, solitary, and incredibly important to the ecosystem.

Tasmanian Devils at Hobart Zoo & Aquarium

The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is the world’s largest surviving carnivorous marsupial, found only in Tasmania. Early European settlers named it the “Devil” after hearing eerie night-time screams and growls, then seeing its red ears, sharp teeth, and fearsome gape. Despite this reputation, the famous wide yawn is usually a display of fear or uncertainty, not aggression. Aboriginal Tasmanians also had several names for the species, one of which is purinina.
Devils are stocky, black-furred animals often marked with white patches on the chest or rump. Adult males can weigh up to 12 kg and stand about 30 cm tall at the shoulder. Once widespread across mainland Australia, they disappeared around 3,000 years ago, likely due to increasing aridity and the spread of dingoes, and today survive only in Tasmania.

In the Wild

Tasmanian devils live in diverse landscapes—from coastal heath to dry sclerophyll forests, alpine areas, and even the edges of farmland where prey is common. They are nocturnal, resting in dens or thick bush by day and roaming up to 16 kilometres each night in search of food.
Devils are both scavengers and hunters, taking carrion and live prey such as wallabies, possums, and wombats. With powerful jaws and teeth, they can consume bones, fur, and organs, helping to keep ecosystems clean. On farms, this can reduce blowfly strike in sheep by removing carcasses.
Their behaviour is complex: ritualised gapes, growls, screeches, and sharp sneezes help minimise real fighting when feeding together. Young devils are agile climbers, while adults can swim, wade, and splash in water to cool down.
Breeding occurs between February and May. After a 21-day pregnancy, up to 40 tiny young are born, but only four can survive in the mother’s pouch. They remain in the pouch for about four months, then stay in a den until weaning at around 10 months. By their second year, devils are mature and ready to breed.

Conservation and Status

Since the mid-1990s, a contagious cancer known as Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) has devastated populations, spreading rapidly through biting and social interactions. Road mortality and habitat loss add further pressure.
Today, the Tasmanian devil is fully protected and listed as Endangered under the IUCN Red List, Australia’s EPBC Act, and the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act. Conservation programs such as the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program work to protect wild populations through research, disease management, and insurance populations.
At Hobart Zoo & Aquarium, our devils act as ambassadors for their wild counterparts, helping raise awareness and inspiring action to safeguard this remarkable species for future generations.

How We Support Devil Life at Hobart Zoo and Aquarium

A Taste of the Wild

We offer a rotating menu of meats, bones, and whole-prey items, scattered or hidden around the habitat to encourage natural scavenging and problem-solving behaviours.
Burrow, Climb, Explore

The habitat includes logs, shelters, digging zones, and lookout platforms, giving devils choices to rest, hide, climb, or explore—just as they would in the wild.
Saving a Species

Hobart Zoo and Aquarium Zoo is committed to devil conservation, supporting education and awareness around Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD)—a threat to wild populations—and helping ensure a future for this endangered species.

🐾 See them up close—but don’t be fooled by their size—Tasmanian Devils are tough, tenacious, and full of personality. They’re living proof that big things come in small, snarling packages.