Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) Fact Sheet: Distribution & Habitat

(Hawkins et al. 2008, except as noted) 

• Tasmania
  • On Bruny Island off the south-eastern coast of Tasmania until around 1900
  • Presently on Robbins Island off the north-west coast of Tasmania
• Re-introduced to mainland Australia in 2020
  • Young born in 2021
• Populations are continuous across Tasmania, but northwestern individuals are genetically distinct from rest of Tasmania (Jones et al. 2004)

(Hawkins et al. 2008) 

• Found in all native terrestrial habitats of Tasmania
• Elevation: sea level to about 1,500 m (4,921 ft)
• Most abundant in:
  • Open eucalyptus forests
  • Woodlands
  • Coastal scrub
• Population densities low in (Jones et al. 2004):
  • Dense wet forests
  • Low heath lands
  • Alpine uplands
  • Open grasslands
  • Cleared farmland
• Make dens in (Owen & Pemberton 2005):
  • Old wombat burrows
  • Riparian vegetation
  • Thick bunch grasses (tussocks)
  • Caves
• Avoid:
  • Steep slopes
  • Rocky areas

The Tasmanian devil occurs—as you would guess—in Tasmania.

A small population was reintroduced to mainland Australia in 2020.

Adapted from www.d-maps.com according to IUCN fact sheet. Click here or on map for detailed distribution (IUCN).

Hawkins et al. (2008)
Jones et al. (2004)
Owen & Pemberton (2005)