Tasmanian devils are the largest carnivorous marsupials in the world. The name is downright misleading, there is nothing further from an evil being than these delightful natural heritage animals of Australia.
Tasmanian devils are the largest carnivorous marsupials in the world. The name is downright misleading, there is nothing further from an evil being than these delightful natural heritage animals of Australia.
In reality, the cute animals, which as the name also underlines, live in the island state of Tasmania, are among them a bit of little devils. In fact, episodes of aggression are not rare that also allow the spread of a disease that affects them, very dangerous for the species.
However, this is not what we want to talk about but about a story that has made them protagonists in these days. Amazed by the presence of the snow that has fallen at the Tasmanian Devil sanctuary at Cradle Mountain, Australia, the cute animals reacted by hiding, running and fidgeting a little in the cold. Their lairs have in fact been touched by the snow that has fallen again near the sanctuary (it is currently winter there).
As you can see, later a bit of initial curiosity, the Tasmanian devil doesn't like the show throwing that much some shouts perhaps in protest. The video we present to you went viral after the shrine's Facebook page shared it for its fans.
Il shrine Devils at Cradle is a conservation structure of the species which helps to observe the life cycles of this animal and the possible dangers to which it is exposed. One of these, undoubtedly the best known and that puts marsupials at serious risk is the Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD), the devil's facial tumor, which is a type of transmissible cancer, which affects only this species.
DFTD, a disease only detected in the mid-90s, contributed to a decline in animal numbers which decreased by at least 60%. Consequently the Tasmanian devils were included in thelist of endangered species.
Fortunately, according to a research we have already told you about, by Washington State University, it appears that the marsupial is evolving in such a way that it is resistant to cancer which decimated the population. In fact, scholars have noted how, in some individuals of the species, there is a genetic resistance to the tumor, a completely natural self-defense to avoid extinction.
On animals and snow, you may also be interested in:
- Polar bear cub encounters snow for the first time (video)
- Bao bao: the captive panda plays in the snow for the first time (VIDEO)
- Two adorable squirrels photograph themselves playing in the snow
It therefore seems that there are good hopes to see these delightful animals for a long time to come happy in their natural habitat!
Gallery: Devils at Cradle
