Reflection 1

Adapted from:http://www.mountstuart.tased.edu.au/tasmanian%20devil%20site/Facts.htm
DESCRIPTION

One of the characteristics of a Tasmanian Devil is its large ears, head and shoulders, powerful set of jaws and strong canine teeth. The Tasmanian Devil is black with a white stripe across the rump and chest. The Tasmanian Devil usually grows to between 50 cm to 60 cm long. It usually stands between 20 cm and 30 cm at the shoulder and can weigh up to 12kg but usually weighs between 6kg to 10kg

Habitat

The Tasmanian Devil lives in Tasmania. It used to live on the mainland but became extinct on there 600 years ago because of the dingoes. The Tasmanian Devil lives all over Tasmania except for a small corner of South West Tasmania. They live in areas where there is dense bush or scrub land and make their home in hollow logs and rocks.

Diet

The Tasmanian Devil is a carnivorous marsupial which means they eat meat. They will kill birds and small animals but the Tasmanian Devil is mainly a scavenger that prefers to eat the carcasses of dead animals. They are not good hunters and so prefer to scavenge for their food. This is good for the farmers because they clear up dead animals and stop disease from spreading. They eat basically everything and this means they eat bones, fur and everything else. They eat possums, small wallabies, kangaroos, reptiles, they steal eggs they basically eat anything.

Behaviour

Although Tasmanian Devils look and sound ferocious, they can become very friendly. The Tasmanian Devil competes with the Spotted tail Quoll for food but it could also be its saviour in Tasmania. The Tasmanian Devil fights for food and survival. They have a ferocious sounding growl which contributed to their name because the early settlers thought they sounded like a devil. It has a whining growl followed by a cough or hollow fearsome growl when angry. Their ears are usually pink but turn red when they are angry or distressed.

BABIES

Most Devils start breeding in their second year. Devils mate in March, the male Devil carries the female around for 3 weeks for safety and she gives birth alone in April. When the babies are born they are as big as the top of a matchstick. Tasmanian Devils have up to 20 babies but only four babies can live in the pouch so at least 16 will not make it to the pouch. Usually 2-4 babies are born the second time out of the pouch. . Devils live up to 7-8 years.

My reflections
I thought that the Tasmanian devils gave birth to baby Tasmanian devils and left them in a small hole in the ground.After reading the article, i now knew the Tasmanian Devil can only live up to 7-8 years,more than 50 Tasmanian devil die each year.The Tasmanian Devil can walk up to 16km without stopping and they can only see black and white only.