The Tasmanian Devil, Sarcophilus harrisii, is the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial. This unique mammal is endemic to the island state of Tasmania, where it occupies a particular niche in the native ecosystem. Known for its stocky build, powerful jaws, and distinct vocalizations, understanding what preys upon the devil requires distinguishing between the robust adult and the vulnerable juvenile.
The Role of the Adult Tasmanian Devil
Healthy, mature Tasmanian Devils currently occupy the position of the apex terrestrial mammalian predator within Tasmania’s ecosystem. A full-grown devil possesses a robust muscular build and has a bite force per unit body mass that is among the strongest of any predatory land mammal. This combination of size and ferocity means that no other animal routinely preys upon an adult devil in the modern Tasmanian wild.
Their predominantly nocturnal habits also help them avoid daytime predators. Today, the threats faced by the adult population are generally non-predatory, such as road mortality while scavenging roadkill, and the devastating impact of Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD).
Natural Predators of Juvenile Devils
Predation on Tasmanian Devils focuses almost exclusively on the young, or “imps,” which are highly vulnerable after leaving the den. Once a juvenile leaves the safety of the mother’s pouch and den, it faces a gauntlet of predators, particularly during its first year of life. Young devils are often active during the day, making them susceptible to aerial attacks.
Large raptors, such as the powerful Wedge-tailed Eagle, target these smaller, inexperienced devils from above. At night, young devils separated from their mothers are at risk from large native owls. Native mammalian predators also pose a threat; the Spotted-tailed Quoll, another carnivorous marsupial, may prey on very small, sick, or newly weaned devils.
Large adult Tasmanian Devils also engage in intraspecific predation, eating the smaller imps if they encounter them. This pressure forces young devils to become adept at climbing trees, a skill that helps them escape larger adults. Introduced species, particularly domestic dogs and feral cats, also contribute to the localized predation of vulnerable juveniles.
The Impact of Extinct Predators
Before its extinction, the most significant natural predator of the Tasmanian Devil was the Thylacine, also known as the Tasmanian Tiger. The Thylacine was the true apex predator of Tasmania and likely exerted strong predatory pressure on devils of all ages, including adults.
When the last known Thylacine died in 1936, the ecological landscape of Tasmania changed dramatically. The removal of this larger predator allowed the Tasmanian Devil to move up the food chain. This shift contributed to the devil assuming the role of the largest remaining carnivorous marsupial and the primary mammalian scavenger, linking the devil’s current lack of natural predation directly to the Thylacine’s disappearance.