What is a Tasmanian devil really like? A Tasmanian devil looks like a small, stocky dog. It has a large, strong head and short legs. Most devils have black fur. They have white marks on the chest, and sometimes on the rump. Zoos give a devil's weight as about 11 to 30 pounds. A zoo or museum lists its body length. It is about 55 to 65 centimeters.

Wild devils live on the island of Tasmania. It is part of Australia. As of November 2026, the Tasmanian devil is listed as an endangered species.

Devils are nocturnal. That means that they are active after dark. By day, they rest in dens. A den can be a hollow log or a cave. At night, a devil uses its keen sense of smell to find food.

Devils usually live alone. Several may feed at the same dead animal.

A devil's wide yawn looks threatening. You may think it means the devil is angry. In fact, it shows fear and uncertainty more than anger.

A mother devil carries her babies in a pouch. This lasts about four months. Her pouch has only four teats. So no more than four babies can stay in it. Newborn devils are tiny, about the size of a grain of rice. Baby devils are called imps.

Devils mostly eat animals that have already died. They also hunt live prey, such as small mammals and birds. Strong jaws and teeth let a devil eat nearly all of its food. It can even eat bones and fur. By eating dead animals, devils help keep the bush clean.

Words to know

• nocturnal: awake at night
• prey: hunted animals
• pouch: baby pocket
• endangered: at risk
• stocky: short and strong