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Meet the Tasmanian devil: The fierce marsupial with a bite that can crush bones

Discover the fierce Tasmanian Devil, the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial, with bone-crushing jaws, nocturnal habits and endangered conservation status in Tasmania.

Gurpreet Singh | October 12, 2025 / 17:39 IST
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1. Anatomy of Devil's Bite: With a Bite Force Quotient of 181, the Tasmanian Devil delivers the most powerful bite relative to body size among mammals. (Image: Canva)
1. Anatomy of Devil's Bite: With a Bite Force Quotient of 181, the Tasmanian Devil delivers the most powerful bite relative to body size among mammals. (Image: Canva)
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2. Powerful Jaws: Their jaws can open up to 80 degrees, enabling them to crush bones and tear through tough meat. (Image: Canva)
2. Powerful Jaws: Their jaws can open up to 80 degrees, enabling them to crush bones and tear through tough meat. (Image: Canva)
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3. Black Fur and White Markings: Tasmanian Devils have coarse black fur with white patches on their chest and rump, aiding in identification. (Image: Canva)
3. Black Fur and White Markings: Tasmanian Devils have coarse black fur with white patches on their chest and rump, aiding in identification. (Image: Canva)
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4. Habitat: Native to Tasmania, they inhabit dense forests, woodlands, and coastal heathlands, playing a crucial role in the ecosystem. (Image: Canva)
4. Habitat: Native to Tasmania, they inhabit dense forests, woodlands, and coastal heathlands, playing a crucial role in the ecosystem. (Image: Canva)
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5. Nocturnal Behaviour: Tasmanian Devils are primarily nocturnal, hunting at night and resting in dens during the day. (Image: Canva)
5. Nocturnal Behaviour: Tasmanian Devils are primarily nocturnal, hunting at night and resting in dens during the day. (Image: Canva)
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6. Diet and Feeding: They are opportunistic feeders, consuming carrion, small mammals, birds, and insects and can eat up to 40% of their body weight in one meal. (Image: Canva)
6. Diet and Feeding: They are opportunistic feeders, consuming carrion, small mammals, birds, and insects and can eat up to 40% of their body weight in one meal. (Image: Canva)
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7. Social Interactions: Known for their loud screeches and aggressive feeding behavior, they often engage in vocal duels over carcasses. (Image: Canva)
7. Social Interactions: Known for their loud screeches and aggressive feeding behavior, they often engage in vocal duels over carcasses. (Image: Canva)
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8. Lifespan: Females give birth to underdeveloped young, which continue developing in the mother's pouch for several weeks. (Image: Canva)
8. Lifespan: Females give birth to underdeveloped young, which continue developing in the mother's pouch for several weeks. (Image: Canva)
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9. Conservation Status: Listed as endangered due to Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD), conservation efforts are underway to protect and preserve the species. (Image: Canva)
9. Conservation Status: Listed as endangered due to Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD), conservation efforts are underway to protect and preserve the species. (Image: Canva)
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10. Speed and Agility: Despite their stocky build, they can run up to 13 km/h and navigate rough terrain efficiently. (Image: Canva)
10. Speed and Agility: Despite their stocky build, they can run up to 13 km/h and navigate rough terrain efficiently. (Image: Canva)

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