Are Tasmanian Devils Carnivores or Herbivores? (What do they eat?)

tasmanian devil e1649626592283

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If you have spent half or more of your childhood watching cartoons then you will probably know or come have across Taz from Looney Tunes at some point.

tasmanian devil e1649626592283

Well, it is not just a made-up character but it is a quite endearing and notorious cartoon character designed after a Tasmanian devil, one of the most unusual mammals that inhabit the Tasmanian islands in Australia.

They are also marsupials and live their lives alone. You might be thinking that who would give them a feisty name if they are no bigger than a small dog? Well, as it turns out, they are fiercer than they look. 

Now we will move toward that what they like to eat?

Well, as portrayed Tasmanian devils have a ravenous appetite and he crunches on the other animals like rabbits. Similarly in real life, they are carnivores.

Tasmanian Devils are carnivores that eat a wide range of other living animals such as frogs, insects, and fish as well. Their complete diet consists of

  • Birds
  • Fish
  • Wombats
  • Rabbits
  • Squirrels
  • Frogs
  • Birds

Apart from hunting their prey, these marsupials also have to scavenge for their food. As nocturnal and antisocial, devils prefer to stay in hidden places in the daytime.

They stay and keep themselves in the tunnels, hollow logs, caves, and under the stones. They just go out at night for hunting their prey.

There is nothing that they would not eat and when they do, they are voracious eaters who gobble up everything they come across including the hairs, bones, and organs of the dead body.

They have their large heads and hefty body, and Tasmanian devils look slow and awkward as they stroll along. They do have their powerful jaws and tearing teeth, devils can eat the entire cadaver, including the bones. 

What Does The Tasmanian Devil Eat?

Tasmanian devils often eat carrion together in groups. They are not picky animals when it comes to food. There is nothing that they will not eat. They eat the organs, hairs, and even their bones as well. Most of the diet is dependent on meat and when they are extremely hungry, they tend to eat their babies.

When fighting for a position on a large carcass, they are at their most raucous. They are known as gorge eaters too because they eat loads of food at once. So they are not herbivores but carnivore which likes to eat the animals killed by other animals. 

What Is The Tasmanian Devil’s Favorite Food?

Tasmanian devils are not many picky animals and they eat whatever is available to eat. Most of the time when another animal like a hyena or tiger kills their prey and when they get full, they walk away. In that situation, the Tasmanian devil comes near the dead body and eats the meat.

If they need to get the food them self then the favorite food of the Tasmanian devil is fish, frogs, and birds.

These are his favorite foods because they don’t move much when caught. So, these are the favorite foods for the Tasmanian devil. 

Why Do Tasmanian Devils Eat Dead Animals?

There are multiple reasons why they tend to eat dead animals. First of all, they are not strong enough to hunt for themselves because they like to spend their time alone.

That is the reason that they tend to eat dead meat. Second thing is that they are not habitual of going out in search of food so, they don’t know how to hunt.

So they end up eating the dead animals. Sometimes they just go to sleep inside the bodies of the dead animals. The next day, they wake up and start eating again. 

Why Does The Tasmanian Devil Eat Their Babies?

When the Tasmanian devils are extremely hungry and they do not find anything to remove their hunger, they just attack their cubs and start eating them. It happens in very rare cases but whenever they find themselves hungry they start eating their babies. 

Are Tasmanian Devils and Wolverines similar in terms of their diet?

Tasmanian Devils and wolverines’ dietary preferences: herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?? While Tasmanian Devils are known for their scavenging behavior and omnivorous diet, wolverines have a more carnivorous inclination. Wolverines feed on small mammals, carrion, and even larger prey. Despite their distinct dietary preferences, both species play vital roles in their respective ecosystems as top predators.

Does The Tasmanian Devil Eat Eggs?

Yes, we have already told you that they are not very picky animals and eat everything. They go out and travel miles and miles in search of food. If they find the eggs of any other bird, they will eat them without thinking. 

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