What is the life cycle of the Tasmanian devil?
Quick Answer
Tasmanian devils are typically born in litters of two or three after a gestation of 21 days and continue development in the mother's pouch while nursing for an additional four months. They are weaned between five and six months and leave their mothers at eight months. They reach sexual maturity at 2 years old and breed every year for an average maximum lifespan of five years.
Continue ReadingFull Answer
Most young Tasmanian devils die immediately upon leaving their mothers due to food scarcity or competition. Those that survive live as scavengers and opportunistic predators of insects, larvae and snakes. They find their food mostly through a keen sense of smell, although all their senses are relatively acute. They also occasionally eat small amounts of vegetation. They are typically solitary, but they congregate around a large carcass to feed, although their interactions are still marked by displays of aggression.
Adult Tasmanian devils have few natural predators, despite a weight of around 26 pounds, as they are armed with formidable jaws and teeth. They are stocky and lumbering, with brown-black fur and a pinkish snout. They store any fat accumulations in their tails. They are relatively common on the island of Tasmania, but their population is threatened by a rapidly spreading cancer-like disease.
Learn more about MarsupialsRelated Questions
-
Q:
Where do Tasmanian devils live?
A: Wild Tasmanian devils live in the island state of Tasmania in Australia mainly in forests and coastal scrub lands. Due to a deadly outbreak called devil fa... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What is a kangaroo's pouch called?
A: A kangaroo's pouch is called a marsupium. The word is derived from the Latin word "marsuppium," which means a purse or a pouch. A kangaroo is a marsupial, ... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
How long is a kangaroo pregnant?
A: A kangaroo is only truly pregnant for around 1 month, but she carries her baby kangaroos in her pouch from 4 months to sometimes more than 1 year. The leng... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
Which animals carry their babies in a pouch?
A: Marsupials are animals that carry their young in a pouch. Examples of marsupials include kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, Tasmanian devils, wombats and opossu... Full Answer >Filed Under:
