Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) Fact Sheet: Physical Characteristics

Body measurements

General

• A stocky meat-eating marsupial the size of a Boston terrier, with a long tail, short legs, and long whiskers
• Described by Quammen (2008a) as having a "trundling" gait and an appearance somewhat like "an underfed bear cub"
• Tasmanian devils are the largest carnivorous marsupials in the world today

Pelage

• Black fur marked by white on rump and chest
  • In their study of a wild population at Mt. Williams National Park, Tasmania, Pemberton & Renouf (1993) concluded that devils are not uniquely marked by their white patches
    • Up to 13% of the animals were entirely black
    • Devils could not be uniquely identified by white patches
    • White serves to orient devils to the front and rear of opponents during nighttime encounters

•  Males 15% larger than females (Jones 2008)

• Four teats (Guiler 1970)
• Pouch open to rear (Guiler 1970)
• Have no "baby (deciduous) teeth" that are lost; original teeth are kept (Owen & Pemberton 2005)
• Teeth, like those of hyaenas, are highly adapted for carnivorous diet (Jones 2003)
  • Very strong canine teeth with bite strength similar to maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) (Jones 1995)
• Sharp, non-retractable claws for digging, holding prey, finding food (Owen & Pemberton 2005)
• Four toes on ground on hind limb; five digits on forelimb (Owen & Pemberton 2005)
  • Have an extended foot pad, like all members of the dasyurid family, which covers the heel and wrist as well as digits (Jones 2003)
    • When standing, devils put weight on these pads
    • When walking, however, devils are digitigrade (up on their toes) (Jones 2003)
  • Can freely rotate hind and forelimbs inwards to enable tree climbing and prey grasping (Jones 2003)
• Acute sense of smell, good even at 1 km (.6 mi) (Owen & Pemberton 2005)
• Very long whiskers extending beyond shoulder width (Pocock 1926)
• Wide ears are well-supplied with blood vessels (Eisenberg et al. 1975)
  • When agitated, ears become red

The Tasmanian devil's distinctive face, bushy tail, and white chest stripe make it one of the world's most recognizable marsupials.

Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.

Eisenberg et al. (1975)
Guiler (1970)
Jones (1995, 2003, 2008)
Lee et al. (1982)
Owen & Pemberton (2005)
Pemberton & Renouf (1993)
Pocock (1926)
Quammen (2008a)