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What the sources say

Tasmanian DevilSarcophilus harrisii

Every figure, record and mechanism on the Tasmanian Devil profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 82 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.

Profile updated

Source
01

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Tasmanian Devil. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

The page saysa scavenger's take-no-prisoners appetite
The source saysAs scavengers, devils also help their habitat by eating most anything lying around, no matter how old or rotten.Note: tagline; figure of speech for eating anything, however old or rotten
The page saysCoastal scrubland, eucalyptus forests, woodlands and farmland on the island of Tasmania
The source saysThe Tasmanian's devil's range is the island state of Tasmania, which is part of Australia. Their habitat includes eucalyptus forests, woodlands, coastal scrubland, and agricultural areas.Note: stats.habitat; 'farmland' for 'agricultural areas'
The page saysMostly carrion
The source saysthey mainly eat wildlife that has already diedNote: stats.diet
The page saysEndangered
The source saysToday, Tasmanian devils are still endangered.Note: stats.conservationStatus, current corroboration: the Red List assessment above is from 2008
The page saysit is about the size of a small dog
The source sayssomething the size of a small dog
The page saysIts body measures 57 to 65 centimeters, plus a 24-to-26-centimeter tail
The source saysLength: 23 to 26 inches (57 to 65 centimeters) ... Tail length: 9 to 10 inches (24 to 26 centimeters)Note: the page lists length and tail length separately, so the 57 to 65 cm excludes the tail
The page saysit weighs 5 to 14 kilograms
The source saysWeight: 11 to 30 pounds (5 to 14 kilograms)
The page saysA devil can live five to eight years.
The source saysLIFE SPAN 5 to 8 yearsNote: the fact box names no setting, so the sentence names none. The same page's body gives 'about seven to eight years' in native habitats for a devil that survives its first year. The 2009 listing advice's 'up to six years in the wild' (citing Jones 2001) was cut: the current page wins
The page saysNature's Cleanup Crew
The source saysAs scavengers, devils also help their habitat by eating most anything lying around, no matter how old or rotten.Note: heading
The page saysDevils are scavengers first and hunters second
The source saysAs carnivorous marsupials, Tasmanian devils are basically carrion eaters, scavenging anything that comes their way. But they also hunt live prey such as small mammals and birds.
The page saysand small mammals and birds
The source saysBut they also hunt live prey such as small mammals and birds.
The page saysPowerful jaws and shearing teeth let a devil eat most of a carcass, bones included
The source saysBecause of their tearing, shearing teeth and powerful jaws, devils can eat most of a carcass, including the bones.
The page saysDevils live alone, but they often gather at carcasses
The source sayswhile they are solitary by nature, they often come together to feed on carcasses
The page saysMostly Bluff
The source saysThese are mostly spectacular bluff behaviors, all part of a ritual to lessen any real fighting that may lead to serious injuries.Note: heading
The page saysA devil's famous gape, a wide-open yawn, looks threatening but is more likely to signal fear and uncertainty than aggression.
The source saysA mouth that opens quite wide— While the famous gape, or yawn, of the Tasmanian devil looks threatening, it is more likely to express fear and uncertainty than aggression.
The page saysDevils also give off a foul odor under stress
The source saysA foul odor— This is produced under stress, not when the devil is calm and relaxed.
The page saysmay sneeze hard before a fight
The source saysA strong sneeze ... the sneeze may come before a fight between devils.
The page saysand use fierce snarls and high-pitched screams to establish dominance at a carcass
The source saysFierce snarls and high-pitched screams— These are used to establish dominance at feeding time around a carcass.
The page saysMost of this is bluff, part of a ritual that cuts down on real fighting
The source saysThese are mostly spectacular bluff behaviors, all part of a ritual to lessen any real fighting that may lead to serious injuries.
The page saysafter a nose-to-nose confrontation, during which their ears flush red, one or both devils usually back down
The source saysAfter a nose-to-nose confrontation—during which their ears flush red!—one or both usually back down.
The page saysDevil facial tumour disease (DFTD) is a contagious cancer, first detected in 1996.
The source saysDevil facial tumor disease, a rare, contagious cancer found only in devils, has been killing adult devils in recent years. Detected in 1996
The page saysIt spreads through biting, which is common when devils mate and feed
The source saysthe disease is transmitted from one individual to another through biting, a common behavior among devils when mating and feeding.
The page saysDuring a nose-to-nose confrontation with another devil, after which one or both usually back down.
The source saysAfter a nose-to-nose confrontation—during which their ears flush red!—one or both usually back down.Note: FAQ 3
The page saysDevils have a whole set of signals like this
The source saysTasmanian devils use spirited behaviors to communicate and thrive.Note: FAQ 3
The page saysa wide gape that is more likely to show fear than aggression
The source saysWhile the famous gape, or yawn, of the Tasmanian devil looks threatening, it is more likely to express fear and uncertainty than aggression.Note: FAQ 3
The page saysa foul odor produced under stress
The source saysA foul odor— This is produced under stress, not when the devil is calm and relaxed.Note: FAQ 3
The page saysa strong sneeze that may come before a fight
The source saysA strong sneeze ... the sneeze may come before a fight between devils.Note: FAQ 3
The page sayssnarls and high-pitched screams used to establish dominance at a carcass
The source saysFierce snarls and high-pitched screams— These are used to establish dominance at feeding time around a carcass.Note: FAQ 3
The page saysMost of it is bluff, part of a ritual that lessens real fighting.
The source saysThese are mostly spectacular bluff behaviors, all part of a ritual to lessen any real fighting that may lead to serious injuries.Note: FAQ 3
The page saysfor a scavenger that mostly settles feeding disputes by voice
The source saysThese are mostly spectacular bluff behaviors, all part of a ritual to lessen any real fighting that may lead to serious injuries.Note: vibe.reason
The page saysfierce snarls and high-pitched screams establish dominance at a carcass
The source saysFierce snarls and high-pitched screams— These are used to establish dominance at feeding time around a carcass.Note: vibe.reason

Source
02

Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan

Sarcophilus harrisii (Tasmanian devil). Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan.

The page saysbloodcurdling nocturnal screams
The source saysTasmanian devils are nocturnal and usually solitary. ... Tasmanian devils are regarded with some awe because of the blood-curdling shrieks and growls they useNote: tagline
The page saysbones and fur included
The source saysTasmanian devils are efficient scavengers, eating even bones and fur.Note: stats.diet
The page saysinsects, reptiles and a little plant matter
The source saysOther food items, such as insects, insect larvae, snakes, and small amounts of vegetation, are taken when encountered. ... Animal Foods mammals amphibians reptilesNote: stats.diet; "a little plant matter" is "small amounts of vegetation"; fruit (ADW keyword list only) cut in the final pass
The page sayswith males heavier than females
The source saysFemales are slightly smaller than males. ... Male weight ranges from 5.5 to 12 kg and female weight from 4.1 to 8.1 kg.
The page saysIts head is massive, with well-developed jaw muscles and heavy molar teeth adapted for crushing bone.
The source saysThe head is massive with well developed jaw muscles. Molar teeth are heavy and adapted for their role in crushing bone and tearing through muscle and thick skin.
The page saysAt night they follow their nose to carrion
The source saysTasmanian devils forage in a slow, lumbering manner, using their sense of smell to find food at night.
The page saysInsects, snakes and small amounts of plant matter get eaten when a devil comes across them.
The source saysOther food items, such as insects, insect larvae, snakes, and small amounts of vegetation, are taken when encountered.
The page saysand fur goes down too
The source saysTasmanian devils are efficient scavengers, eating even bones and fur.
The page saysthe feeding turns rowdy, with aggression and loud calls
The source saysThey are famous for their rowdy communal feeding, which is accompanied by aggression and loud vocalizations.
The page saysIts head is massive, with well-developed jaw muscles and heavy molar teeth adapted for crushing bone.
The source saysThe head is massive with well developed jaw muscles. Molar teeth are heavy and adapted for their role in crushing bone and tearing through muscle and thick skin.Note: FAQ 1

Source
03

Species Profile and Threats Database, Australian Government Department of the Environment

Sarcophilus harrisii - Tasmanian Devil. Species Profile and Threats Database, Australian Government Department of the Environment.

The page saysespecially possums, kangaroos and wallabies
The source saysIt will eat the carcasses of a range of vertebrates, but mostly possums and macropodsNote: stats.diet; macropods are the kangaroo and wallaby family
The page saysplus slow or sick live prey
The source saysThe Tasmanian Devil tends to hunt down slow prey such as wombats or sick wallabies or lambsNote: stats.diet
The page saysmostly the carcasses of possums and macropods, the kangaroo and wallaby family
The source saysIt will eat the carcasses of a range of vertebrates, but mostly possums and macropodsNote: the gloss defines macropods for the reader
The page saysThey also hunt live prey: slow animals such as wombats, sick wallabies and lambs
The source saysThe Tasmanian Devil tends to hunt down slow prey such as wombats or sick wallabies or lambs

Source
04

Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania 2022

Tasmanian Devils FAQs. Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, 2022.

The page saysits jaws bite as hard as a dog about four times its weight
The source saysDevils have the highest relative bite force of living mammals and equates to jaws with biting power as strong as a dog about four times their weight. Therefore, a 10 kg devil has a bite as powerful as a 40 kg dogNote: vibe.reason
The page saysNo, according to Tasmania's environment department. Devils do not attack people, though they will defend themselves if attacked, cornered or trapped
The source saysAre Tasmanian devils dangerous to people? No, Tasmanian devils are not dangerous. They do not attack people, although they will defend themselves if attacked, cornered or trapped.Note: FAQ 4; NRE is the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania
The page saysdespite their appearance they are timid, quiet animals that would much rather run away
The source saysDespite their appearance they are very timid, quiet animals that would much rather run awayNote: FAQ 4
The page saysa devil bites as hard as a dog about four times its weight, so a 10 kg devil has the bite of a 40 kg dog
The source saysDevils have the highest relative bite force of living mammals and equates to jaws with biting power as strong as a dog about four times their weight. Therefore, a 10 kg devil has a bite as powerful as a 40 kg dogNote: FAQ 4

Source
05

Pemberton & Renouf 1993

Pemberton & Renouf (1993). A Field-Study of Communication and Social-Behavior of the Tasmanian Devil at Feeding Sites. Australian Journal of Zoology.

The page saysA Forty Percent Feast
The source saysDevils gorged themselves, eating approximately 40% of their body mass.Note: blockquote lead-in; the sentence beneath keeps 'roughly'
The page saysIn a 1993 field study of devils feeding together at carcasses, they gorged on roughly 40 percent of their own body mass.
The source saysit congregates when feeding on carcasses. In this study, observations of behaviour during group feeding were used to document the communication and social organisation of these little-known animals. ... Devils gorged themselves, eating approximately 40% of their body mass.Note: 1993 is the paper's publication year (reference metadata)
The page saysAt feeding sites, aggressive encounters between devils seldom turn into physical fights, a 1993 field study found
The source saysobservations of behaviour during group feeding were used to document the communication and social organisation of these little-known animals. ... Agonistic interactions seldom resulted in physical clashesNote: agonistic interactions are aggressive encounters; the study's title names feeding sites
The page saysthough the few that did left damage and heavy scarring on the muzzle and rump, and adult males were scarred most
The source saysbut a few led to damage to the muzzle and rump, as supported by heavy scarring in these regions. Adult males were the most frequently and seriously scarred

Source
06

Wroe, McHenry & Thomason 2005

Wroe, McHenry & Thomason (2005). Bite club: comparative bite force in big biting mammals and the prediction of predatory behaviour in fossil taxa. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

The page saysPound for pound, the strongest estimated bite of any living mammal predator studied
The source saysEstimated BS adjusted for body mass was higher for marsupials than placentals and the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) had the highest relative BS among extant taxaNote: tagline. BS is bite force; 'pound for pound' is 'adjusted for body mass'; 'studied' keeps the study's scope and 'estimated' its qualifier
The page saysPound for pound, no living mammal predator in a 2005 study had a higher estimated bite force than the Tasmanian devil.
The source saysWe provide the first predictions of bite force (BS) in a wide sample of living and fossil mammalian predators. ... Estimated BS adjusted for body mass was higher for marsupials than placentals and the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) had the highest relative BS among extant taxa.Note: stats.superpower; 2005 is the paper's publication year (reference metadata)
The page saysA Bite That Outclasses Its Size
The source sayswe calculated an estimated bite force quotient (BFQ) as the residual of BS regressed on body mass. Estimated BS adjusted for body mass was higher for marsupials than placentals and the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) had the highest relative BS among extant taxaNote: heading; the quotient measures bite force beyond what body mass predicts
The page saysA 2005 study estimated the bite force of a wide sample of living and fossil mammal predators and scaled it to body size, and no living species in the study came out ahead of the devil
The source saysWe provide the first predictions of bite force (BS) in a wide sample of living and fossil mammalian predators. To compare between taxa, we calculated an estimated bite force quotient (BFQ) as the residual of BS regressed on body mass. Estimated BS adjusted for body mass was higher for marsupials than placentals and the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) had the highest relative BS among extant taxa.Note: 2005 is the paper's publication year (reference metadata)
The page saysPound for pound, stronger than any other living mammal predator's in a 2005 study.
The source saysEstimated BS adjusted for body mass was higher for marsupials than placentals and the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) had the highest relative BS among extant taxa.Note: FAQ 1; 2005 is the paper's publication year
The page saysThe researchers estimated bite force for a wide sample of living and fossil mammal predators and scaled it to body size, and among the living species the Tasmanian devil came out on top.
The source saysWe provide the first predictions of bite force (BS) in a wide sample of living and fossil mammalian predators. To compare between taxa, we calculated an estimated bite force quotient (BFQ) as the residual of BS regressed on body mass. Estimated BS adjusted for body mass was higher for marsupials than placentals and the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) had the highest relative BS among extant taxa.Note: FAQ 1

Source
07

Siddle et al. 2007

Siddle et al. (2007). Transmission of a fatal clonal tumor by biting occurs due to depleted MHC diversity in a threatened carnivorous marsupial. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The page saysand the tumor cells themselves pass from one devil to the next
The source saysA fatal transmissible tumor spread between individuals by biting has emerged in the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), a carnivorous marsupial. Here we provide genetic evidence establishing that the tumor is clonal and therefore foreign to host devils.Note: clonal: the tumors are one line of cells, passed on, not each devil's own cancer
The page saysThat makes each tumor a graft, tissue from a different animal, which the immune system should recognize and reject.
The source saysThus, the disease is highly unusual because it is not just a tumor but also a tissue graft, passed between individuals without invoking an immune response. ... because the tumor is a graft, it should still be recognized and rejected by the host's immune system due to foreign cell surface antigens.
The page sayswhich play a key role in immune responses to tumors and grafts
The source saysThe MHC plays a key role in immune responses to both tumors and grafts.
The page saysthat spreads when devils bite each other
The source saysA fatal transmissible tumor spread between individuals by bitingNote: FAQ 2
The page saysThe tumor cells themselves pass from one devil to the next, so each tumor is a graft of tissue from another animal.
The source saysthe tumor is clonal and therefore foreign to host devils. Thus, the disease is highly unusual because it is not just a tumor but also a tissue graft, passed between individuals without invoking an immune response.Note: FAQ 2
The page sayswhich play a key role in immune responses to tumors and grafts
The source saysThe MHC plays a key role in immune responses to both tumors and grafts.Note: FAQ 2

Source
08

Jones et al. 2008

Jones et al. (2008). Life-history change in disease-ravaged Tasmanian devil populations. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The page saysthe world's largest living carnivorous marsupial
The source saysthe largest extant carnivorous marsupial, the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)
The page saysDevils have shown they can respond.
The source saysDevils have shown their capacity to respond to this disease-induced increased adult mortality
The page saysIn five disease-hit populations tracked for a 2008 study, the cancer killed almost every devil past its first year of adult life
The source saysThis change in life history is associated with almost complete mortality of individuals from this infectious cancer past their first year of adult life. ... These patterns are documented in five populations where there are data from before and after disease arrivalNote: 2008 is the paper's publication year (reference metadata)
The page saysand the share of devils reaching breeding age unusually early rose 16-fold
The source saysa 16-fold increase in the proportion of individuals exhibiting precocious sexual maturityNote: 'reaching breeding age unusually early' glosses 'precocious sexual maturity'

Source
09

Epstein et al. 2016

Epstein et al. (2016). Rapid evolutionary response to a transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devils. Nature Communications.

The page saysA Cancer That Brought the Species to the Brink
The source saysA recently emerged infectious cancer has caused the near extinction of the Tasmanian devil, but some populations persist.Note: heading
The page saysA 2016 study explains how DFTD slips through: devils have very little genetic variation, and the tumor interferes with MHC molecules
The source saysthe lack of genome-wide variation in Tasmanian devils, combined with irregular tumour MHC expression and downregulation of host MHC by DFTD, have led to what appears to be universal susceptibilityNote: replaces the 2007 explanation (low MHC diversity alone, and 'this mode of immune escape does not occur'), which the 2016 paper updates with tumor MHC changes found in 2013. 'interferes with' covers 'irregular tumour MHC expression and downregulation of host MHC'
The page saysThat appears to leave every devil susceptible.
The source sayshave led to what appears to be universal susceptibility
The page saysThe disease is fatal in nearly every case
The source saysis virtually 100% fatal
The page sayswithin 20 years of its detection the species had declined by more than 80 percent overall, with local declines of more than 90 percent
The source saysresulting in localized declines exceeding 90% and an overall species decline of more than 80% in less than 20 yearsNote: past perfect, dated by the 2016 study named earlier in the paragraph
The page saysThe 2016 study also found matching signs of natural selection in three separate populations on genes linked in humans to immune function or cancer risk
The source saysWe identify two genomic regions that contain genes related to immune function or cancer risk in humans that exhibit concordant signatures of selection across three populations.
The page sayswhich suggests devils are evolving resistance that could help the species survive
The source saysour results suggest that hosts are evolving immune-modulated resistance that could aid in species persistence
The page saysDFTD is a contagious cancer, first detected in 1996
The source saysa recently emerged transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devils ( Sarcophilus harrisii ) is virtually 100% fatal. ... First detected in northeastern Tasmania in 1996Note: FAQ 2; the FAQ's ref states its 1996
The page saysDevils have very little genetic variation, and the tumor interferes with MHC molecules
The source saysthe lack of genome-wide variation in Tasmanian devils, combined with irregular tumour MHC expression and downregulation of host MHC by DFTD, have led to what appears to be universal susceptibilityNote: FAQ 2
The page saysTogether these appear to leave every devil susceptible.
The source sayscombined with irregular tumour MHC expression and downregulation of host MHC by DFTD, have led to what appears to be universal susceptibilityNote: FAQ 2
The page saysThe disease is fatal in nearly every case
The source saysis virtually 100% fatalNote: FAQ 2
The page sayswithin 20 years of its detection the species had declined by more than 80 percent overall, with local declines of more than 90 percent
The source saysresulting in localized declines exceeding 90% and an overall species decline of more than 80% in less than 20 yearsNote: FAQ 2

Source
10

Hawkins et al. 2008

Hawkins et al. (2008). Sarcophilus harrisii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008: e.T40540A10331066.

The page saysEndangered
The source saysIUCN Red List category: Endangered (EN). Sarcophilus harrisii (Boitard, 1841), IUCN taxon 40540.Note: stats.conservationStatus

How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.