Where To See A Tasmanian Devil In Tasmania

Have you ever wondered how and where to see a Tasmanian Devil and what they are like? Once made famous in cartoons, this real-life black, furry creature, the size of a small dog, can be found on the island of Tasmania in Australia.

During my epic trip around Australia, I spent eight nights in Tasmania and stayed for two nights in Cradle Mountain. It is a fantastic place for all outdoor pursuits, including the Dove Lake Walk, and boasts the world's best conservation centre for Tasmanian Devils, so, of course, I had to learn more about them at Devils@Cradle Mountain.

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What is a Tasmanian Devil - Friend or Foe?

Coarse brown or black fur and an almost bear-like face make these nocturnal creatures look pretty harmless. Don't be fooled. They are voracious hunter-scavengers that prey on small animals and survive on carrion (dead animals). Their bite is as bad as their bark, which incidentally is a high-pitched guttural wail, and they will happily fight amongst themselves for food!

Found only in Tasmania, it's believed that the species was driven into extinction on mainland Australia following the introduction of the dingo. However, we wouldn't see a Tasmanian Devil by chance, as numbers have steadily declined by 85-90% due to Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), which is transmitted through a bite to the face. In turn, the tumour spreads across the face, suffocating the Tasmanian Devil, resulting in death.

They are also killed on the roads by vehicles. The odds of seeing one in the wild meant that a sanctuary would be our best option for an encounter. The good news was that one was conveniently located near our accommodation in Cradle Mountain.

Helpful Information About How To See A Tasmanian Devil

Facts about the Tasmanian Devil

The largest of the world’s carnivorous marsupials, with the most powerful bite of all mammals, the Tasmanian devil weighs in at 7-10kg, and females give birth to 40 live babies at a time.

With only four teats to feed the litter, the strongest survive and remain with "mum" for four months. At this age, they become too large to stay in the pouch and stay in the den for another 4-5 months, when their diet becomes carnivorous.

By nine months, they are fully independent and ready to go out on their own. A Tasmanian Devil's natural life span is only 5-6 years.

How to see the Tasmanian Devil

We booked onto the After Dark Feeding Tour, which runs at 5:30 pm and lasts one hour and 15 minutes. This time of evening is when the Tasmanian Devils become active, ready to hunt and feed.

Eager for their evening meal, they were pacing around their enclosures, waiting for food when we arrived. They were fighting with one another, and their screams were blood-curdling!

This sound is where they get their name, "Devil"! Other members were oblivious to what was happening and happily sunbathing in the last of the sunshine. A couple were playing and chasing each other around the enclosures.

Suddenly, everything changed when the keeper entered the enclosure with his bucket of meat, and the Tasmanian Devil's sharp teeth quickly chomped through flesh and bone with ease. Although the devil is a solitary animal, it is not territorial; several adults are fed together from each carcass, although for some groups, the result was much squabbling and growling!

Devils@Cradle Mountain is probably one of the only places in the world that you are guaranteed to encounter these endangered creatures, so it is well worth a visit.

Tasmanian Devils Video

We were fascinated watching the devils devouring their prey.

Have you ever heard of a Quoll?

We certainly hadn't, but we were delighted to learn about the nearest relative to the Tasmanian Devil. These black, brown and fawn-spotted creatures look cute and cuddly, but not all seem as they seem.

The endangered species of the Spotted Tail Quoll and the Eastern Quoll are both carnivorous marsupials, just like the Tasmanian Devil. The natural lifespan of a quoll is between 3 and 5 years.

Do the spots lead you to believe that this is an apex killer? Probably not, but the spotted-tailed Quoll is a ferocious hunter, and although weighing in at 2-4kg, it can take out a wombat many times bigger.

They are territorial but will not hesitate to scavenge food from the Tasmanian Devil. Primary threats to the Quoll species include being hit by cars, poisoning, and shooting by farmers, as well as predation by foxes, feral cats, and dingos.

Tasmania is the only place where the Eastern Quoll can still be found; however, the Spotted-Tailed Quoll still has a few strongholds on the mainland of Australia.

Devils@Cradle is not a large sanctuary, but you will come away with a better understanding of these indigenous creatures at the end of your tour. You will also have helped conserve this species with your entry fee. This tour should be on your itinerary if you are visiting Tasmania.

Where else can you see a Tasmanian Devil?

There is a wealth of wildlife parks and sanctuaries across the state, so if you are making a road trip around Tasmania, you can be sure to find somewhere to see a Tasmanian Devil. A few suggestions are as follows:

Tasmania Devil Unzoo

Bonorong 

Tasmania Zoo

East Coast Nature World

Trowunna Wildlife Park

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