Tasmanian devil
The Tasmanian devil lives exclusively on Tasmania and is a keystone species in the island's ecosystem. In addition to its black fur, it owes its name to a number of special characteristics. When agitated, its ears turn red and, like skunks, it emits an intense, unpleasant odor. Furthermore, the Tasmanian devil is known for its distinctive screeching and most males are marked with scars from fights with rivals.
Bite force
In relation to its body size, it has the largest bite force of any mammal. One reason for this is its exceptionally large head. The Tasmanian devil can easily bite through bones and completely devour its prey. Sometimes it consumes about 40% of its own weight within 30 minutes.
Offspring and symbolic status
Just like wombats, and unlike kangaroos, the pouches of female devils are open at the back. As the females only have four teats, a maximum of four of the 20 to 30 joeys survive. Since the extinction of the Tasmanian tiger in 1936, the Tasmanian devil has been the largest living carnivorous marsupial, with a head and body length of about 65 cm (25.6 in). In Tasmania, the devil is a popular symbolic animal and mascot.
Facts
- Binominal name: Sarcophilus harrisii
- Other names: Purinina (local name)
- Infraclass: Marsupialia
- First described: 1841 (Pierre Boitard)
- Distribution: Tasmania
Tasmanian devil Folding Card
This special souvenir note from the Australia Series is dedicated to the Tasmanian devil. Printed on genuine security paper, it features a lizard as a gold foil patch, motifs in UV color and haptic elements. While the vertically designed obverse depicts a Tasmanian devil, the reverse shows the famous sandstone formation Uluru or Ayers Rock in Central Australia and Aboriginal art. Uluru is 348 m (1,142 ft) high and is revered as a sacred place by the Aboriginal people of the area. Under UV light, a road sign with a Tasmanian devil becomes visible. The Australia Series, which comprises a total of eight souvenir notes, is also available in a booklet with lots of information and pictures.
Obverse: Tasmanian devil, stylized lizard, map of Australia
Reverse: Uluru or Ayers Rock, sandstone formation in Central Australia, Aboriginal art, stylized sea turtle
| Dimensions: 145 x 70 mm (5.71 x 2.76 in) Material: Paper |
