What Do Tasmanian Devils Eat? Inside the Diet of a Top Scavenger

Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) might be small creatures, but their appetite and effect on their environment are mighty. These marsupials, which typically live only on the island of Tasmania, are often misunderstood. With their fierce appearance and loud cries, it’s no wonder these creatures are sometimes feared. However, beneath these intimidating growls is an animal that plays an important ecological role. Given their importance, let’s delve into what keeps this vital marsupial species alive.

What’s So Devilish About It?

The name ‘Tasmanian devil’ originates from early European settlers in Tasmania. These settlers heard the loud cry of this marsupial, and when they saw its small stature, they were surprised. Their high-pitched vocalizations are part of the reason these animals got their name. Curious? Check out this clip. When the settlers took a closer look at these tiny, dog-like creatures with red ears and sharp teeth, the name seemed fitting.

Wild Tasmanian devils only exist in Tasmania. Though they are often viewed as scary by humans, they are more timid and shy toward us than aggressive. They do not often attack people, but their sharp teeth can crush bones. Devils are the largest meat-eating marsupials alive today, weighing between 13 and 26 pounds (about the size of a small dog). These marsupials have strong jaws and fairly muscular bodies. Tasmanian devils are mainly active at night and live in forests, coastal scrublands, and farm areas across Tasmania, where they venture out to find food.

Inside the Devil’s Diet

These scavengers eat whatever meat they find and are known for cleaning up areas by primarily eating dead animals. When they get a chance, they will also hunt small animals. They are known for being opportunistic feeders with jaws that can open up to 80 degrees. This adaptation allows them to gulp down huge chunks of flesh. In addition, their powerful molars and sharp incisors allow them to grind through tissue and bone with ease. Usually, their diet is composed of:

• Wallabies and wombats (typically dead ones)

• Small mammals

• Reptiles, frogs, and birds

• Insects and grubs

• Roadkill and carrion (decaying flesh of dead animals)

Devils can adapt well because they can eat almost every part of an animal. From bones to fur and even hooves, their strong jaws and digestive systems make them one of the most efficient scavengers in the animal kingdom. Devils can eat up to 40% of their body weight in a single meal. To put this in perspective, it would be like a person who weighs 150 pounds eating 60 pounds of steak in one sitting. Their diet changes depending on the area and time of year. Those near the coast may eat seabirds or dead sea animals. Inland devils tend to hunt more rodents and lizards or consume other dead animals. This versatility in their eating habits helps them adapt through many seasons.

Feeding Frenzy

As scavengers—animals that mostly eat dead prey—devils use their powerful sense of smell to locate carrion (dead flesh). They also hunt live prey items when available, using their incredible hearing to find animals from afar. Due to their compact shape, they are able to run quickly over short distances, enabling them to ambush small creatures like birds, frogs, insects, and even lizards.

One of the most fascinating behaviors of devils is their communal feeding. When many devils gather at a dead animal, they start a “feeding frenzy”. During these events, there is growling, yelling, and the bearing of teeth. These behaviors allow them to establish dominance and secure better access to food. Though these actions appear violent, the food is eaten quickly, limiting the time a carcass remains and can spread disease.

Nature’s Cleanup Crew

Devils serve an immense purpose in their habitat through their ability to help clean up the environment. As scavengers, they completely devour animal remains without a trace. This capability benefits not only their own survival but also the health of other organisms in their ecosystem. When dead animals are consumed, it reduces the chance that their bodies become breeding grounds for harmful bacteria, flies, and diseases. This quick removal of animal carcasses can potentially stop the spread of diseases that affect other wild animals, farm animals, or people.

Their impact extends even further. As thorough eaters, they consume not only meat but also skin, bones, fur, and internal organs. What cannot be digested is broken down and excreted, returning essential nutrients to the soil through a process known as nutrient cycling. Nutrient cycling encourages healthier, richer soil and keeps a balanced cycle of life and death in nature. When devil populations are large, entire ecosystems function more effectively. However, when their numbers decrease, entire ecosystems can suffer devastating impacts.

Threats to the Tasmanian Devil

One disease in particular, Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), poses a big danger to Tasmanian devils. This fatal cancer spreads when devils bite each other, usually during feeding, mating, and dominance displays. The disease has caused devil numbers to decline by over 80% in some areas, resulting in an overall population reduction of about two-thirds across Tasmania. It can appear as large tumors on the face, mouth, and neck. Because these tumors are so large, they can interfere with eating and often lead to infection or starvation. Usually, once the disease becomes visible, devils die within a few months. Other threats include habitat loss due to deforestation and urbanization. These factors force devils to travel longer distances for food.

Saving the Snarling Scavenger

Conservationists are working hard to learn about and help Tasmanian devil populations. Researchers have used camera traps, GPS collars, and scat analysis to monitor what the devils eat. Some researchers are even studying how their diet changes in response to environmental stresses.

To combat DFTD, groups of devils have been relocated to separate peninsulas on Australia’s mainland to keep them isolated from the disease. These groups are carefully managed to maintain genetic diversity and are reintroduced into the wild when conditions become safe. Rewilding programs also teach captive devils how to scavenge before they are released. This prepares them with the skills needed to survive in the wild. Programs such as Save the Tasmanian Devil also work with local officials to establish wildlife crossings.

The Importance of a Healthy Diet

The Tasmanian devil is currently classified as Endangered by the IUCN. Due to DFTD and habitat loss, their populations have declined significantly, with some areas experiencing up to a 95% decline after the disease has been present for over 5 years. This is troublesome not only for the animal but also for the ecosystems they help. Scavengers help clean up nature, play a role in disease control and nutrient cycling, and help keep invasive species under control.

When species like these vanish, the impact echoes throughout the entire ecosystem. Conservationists are working quickly to stabilize devil numbers through breeding programs, protected habitats, and disease monitoring. However, public awareness is also extremely important. Understanding what Tasmanian devils eat and why their diet matters can help influence how people see them. They are not just wild and snarling creatures, but part of a delicate ecological system that urgently needs saving. Protecting the devil also means protecting the areas they help manage. With continued support and scientific solutions, we are hopefully on the right track.

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