Tuesday 28 May 2013

ABC Wednesday, T for Tasmanian Devil

While being in Tasmania, we wouldn't miss seeing the Tasmanian Devil. That was not easy as the Devil is very shy, and a nocturnal hunter, though it prefers dead animals. It's more a scavenger than a hunter.

So we went looking for it after sunset. We drove very slowly along the mainroads with care. We saw all sorts of animals crossing the roads, and we stopped when they did, blinded by the headlights of the car. One night we saw the Devil. He sat there in the middle   of the road watching us. 

  We were
delighted, , but not really satisfied, so we decided to go to the zoo.
These photos are taken at the Wing's Wildlife Park.
The Tasmanian Devil is a carnivorous marsupial. They emerge from their den at night to wander long distances looking for food,
 like road kills.

Tasmanian Devils mate in March and the babies are born in April.The mother has four nipples and her pouch opens backwards. She will have two young when she is two years old, then annually three or four babies for the next three years.


We thank Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC, and we must thank Roger too for the weekly job to find  ten bloggers for each of the ABC Team members  to visit and to read their posts. For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar . This week we are looking for words beginning with T.





















"Friendly young Devils!

28 comments:

Richard Lawry said...

They are quite cute and don't look like devils at all.

An Arkies Musings

Cloudia said...

Cute! Thank you, Wil

ALOHA from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
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Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Loved this post Wil.. I only vaguely knew about this animal (from the cartoon..I always meant to find out about the real one)...so this is my new thing to learn today. A most amazing creation he is!

Anonymous said...

What cute devils!

The Weaver of Grass said...

I had never heard of this animal Wil, but I do like them. Are they fierce or can you pick them up?

Roger Owen Green said...

Yes, I thought of the cartoon - which it DOES vaguely resemble.

anthonynorth said...

Great info. Good to know it isn't just a cartoon :-)

Along These Lines ... said...

The devil, you say.

MERYL JAFFE, PhD - parent, psychologist, teacher, author... said...

Sweet post, although I still favor Warner Bros.' Taz!

photowannabe said...

Not my idea of a pet but you captured some great photos.

Unknown said...

Mate in March and born in April? That's fast! Thanks for this lesson on the Tasmanian Devil!

Unknown said...

i wonder how they got the name.:p
my father used to tell us stories about the Tasmanian Devil...from dad's stories, i had an impression they're funny creatures.:)

T is for...

Leslie: said...

Gee, that was terrific! I must admit my ignorance of this animal and I actually think they're kind of cute!

Leslie
abcw team

LONDONLULU said...

They look so sweet and not at all "devil"-ish! In the States, there was a very popular cartoon character called the Tasmanian Devil - yours are far cuter:)

Nonnie said...

color me "surprised"! sadly, not having curiosity enough ever to investigate beyond the cartoon Tasmanian Devil, I had no idea that they were so sweet looking. thank you for correcting my ignorance!

Hildred said...

Such a menacing name for a fairly shy looking animal. Glad you were finally able to get some close-ups Wil.

Lea said...

Great photos!
Interesting information!
Have a wonderful day!
Lea
Lea's Menagerie

Maria's Space said...

Such strange looking interesting creatures

Ann said...

I wonder if the name came from liking dead animals to eat? And they prey at night could have to do with devil. The really don't look evil.
Ann

Meghan said...

Like several others, I had only seen the cartoon version of these. Thanks for all the interesting info and cute pics!

Marleen said...

Ik heb ze nog nooit in het echt gezien, volgens mij hebben ze scherpe tanden! Mooie serie foto's.

Joy said...

What curious, and interesting, creatures. Looks like the ones playing "king of the castle" have as short a temper as the Taz the cartoon Tasmanian Devil.

Powell River Books said...

Hard to believe they would pick such an animal as a cartoon character for kids. Guess there's a bit of ruthlessness in all of us. - Margy

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

These looks healthy Devils, I have seen diseased one, so sad,

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

It is one of those hairy dogs, In Summer, it gets too hot, and my brother shears him. Now, when it is cold, the bath him and dries it with a hairdrier. I thought it was so funny.

Lise said...

Really interesting post, but what I like most is the angel on your page! What a doll!

Chubskulit Rose said...

I have never seen a Tazmanian devil before.

Talenti Gelato
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

Kay said...

I think those devils are darn cute too. But that adorable baby on your header is positively angelic.