Daily photography contest - Animal Photography: TASMANIAN DEVIL.

TASMANIAN DEVIL.

This is my entry for the Animal Photography contest curated and sponsored by @juliank and @photocontests.

Tasmanian devils are the largest living marsupials in Australia. They used to be common on the mainland but these days, they are only found in Tasmania, choosing a variety of habitats. Tasmanian Devils are shy, nocturnal animals and sightings in the wild are very rare. They scavenge dead animals (carrion) found on the roadsides and unfortunately many devils are hit by cars while feeding, reducing their numbers even more.

I was excited to have this one come out to greet me when I visited the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast, recently especially as I have not had much success in capturing them before. The length of an average male Devil is 652mm with a weight of 12kgs and the females measure only 570mm in length and weigh about 10kgs.

They are characterized by their distinctive white markings on their chest which is a typical way to help identify individuals. Their claws are sharp and powerful and Tasmanian Devils have a backward facing pouch. These animals are very active and can travel up to 16 kilometres a night hunting for food whilst patrolling their territory.

Tasmanian Devils have quite an appetite and devour an entire prey, including the bones. In fact the male has no difficulty consuming one quarter of his body weight in a single feeding session. They were once known as implacably vicious and dingoes hunted them. Humans hunted them also as they were a threat to livestock. Their fur was a valued commodity but eventually the Tasmanian Devils became an endangered species and are now, therefore a protected animals.

Females generally raise two young Devils at a time and their joeys live in the pouch for almost four months. After they emerge from their mothers pouch they remain close by for a further few months before they are ready to venture out and learn the necessary survival skills.

(Source: australiazoo.com.au)

Check out Julian's other challenges.

Monday: #foodphotography and #animalphotography
Tuesday: #landscapephotography and #cityscapephotography
Wednesday: #architecturalphotography and #vehiclephotography
Thursday: #macrophotography and #colourfulphotography
Friday: #streetphotography and #portraitphotography
Saturday: #sportsphotography and #smartphonephotography
Sunday: #goldenhourphotography and #longexposurephotography