The Tasmanian Devil (\(Sarcophilus\) \(harrisii\)) is the world’s largest surviving carnivorous marsupial, found exclusively on the island state of Tasmania. This unique animal is characterized by a stocky, dense build, a large head, and a powerful jaw. Weighing up to 26 pounds and measuring around 30 inches, the devil is roughly the size of a small domestic dog. The species is currently classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to the devastating effects of the transmissible Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD).
The Wild Nature of Tasmanian Devils
The behavioral traits of the Tasmanian Devil are fundamentally incompatible with the concept of a household companion. They are strongly nocturnal, spending their days concealed in dens, hollow logs, or thick brush, and emerging only after dark to forage. This schedule is a direct conflict with typical human waking hours, meaning an owner would rarely see their pet, and the animal would be consistently stressed by daytime activity.
The devil is highly solitary, with interactions outside of mating limited primarily to aggressive feeding frenzies on large carcasses. When congregating at a food source, the animals engage in a complex hierarchy of vocalizations, including loud screeches, growls, and harsh coughs that can be extremely disturbing. These intense social interactions reflect the animal’s need to assert dominance during feeding.
Physiologically, the Tasmanian Devil possesses a bite force that is the strongest relative to body size of any living predatory land mammal. Their large head and muscular neck are adapted for crushing bone and tearing through thick hide, allowing them to consume an entire carcass, including the skeleton. This physical capability presents a severe safety risk, as a bite from a devil is a serious injury, not a playful nip. Furthermore, their powerful, pungent scent glands are used for communication and territorial marking, a trait that makes them highly unsuitable for enclosed domestic environments.
Distinguishing Habituation from True Taming
The question of taming a Tasmanian Devil requires a clear distinction between three biological concepts: domestication, taming, and habituation. Domestication involves selective breeding over many generations to create genetic changes that make a species permanently adapted to living with humans, a process that has never been applied to the Tasmanian Devil. Taming refers to conditioning a single wild animal to tolerate human presence, but this tolerance is not genetically inherited.
Habituation is the process where an individual animal becomes accustomed to a human presence, often seen in conservation programs like the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program. Devils raised in intensive captive management facilities, particularly those rescued as young orphans, can become less fearful of human handlers. However, this individual behavioral change is not a substitute for the reliable temperament found in domesticated pets.
Even devils raised in captivity retain the innate, hard-wired behaviors necessary for survival in the wild. Studies show that when captive-raised devils are released, they quickly demonstrate necessary foraging and hunting skills. This suggests the animal’s wild instincts are not easily suppressed by human contact. While a hand-raised devil may tolerate a handler, this relationship does not translate into a safe, predictable companion animal for a private individual.
Restrictions on Private Ownership
The practical barrier to owning a Tasmanian Devil is the extensive legal protection afforded to the species. Private ownership is strictly prohibited across Australia, particularly in Tasmania, where the species is protected under the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. The Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) further lists the species as Endangered, making any unauthorized possession, trade, or movement a serious violation of federal law.
The only institutions legally permitted to house Tasmanian Devils are approved zoos and certified conservation facilities operating under government-mandated programs. These facilities must adhere to strict biosecurity protocols and housing standards designed to replicate a wild environment, which is far beyond the capacity of a typical private owner. While the species is not currently listed on a CITES Appendix, its Endangered status and Australian protection effectively prevent its legal trade internationally.
For individuals in countries like the United States or the United Kingdom, acquiring a Tasmanian Devil is virtually impossible and highly illegal. Exotic pet laws in these nations require extensive permits for endangered or dangerous animals, which are only granted to accredited scientific or zoological institutions. The logistical demands of providing specialized veterinary care, appropriate nocturnal housing, and a diet of whole prey animals also present insurmountable barriers to private ownership.