What are marsupial? Do all of them have pouches – and while we are on that subject – why are pouches needed? All you need to know about the fascinating group of animals known as marsupials. What are marsupials? Marsupials are pouched mammals and are a group of mammals that most of us probably associate […]
Tag: Tasmanian devil
“It’s a sulfurous, eye-watering stench that causes temporary blindness in predators.” Rancid eggs, putrid breath – meet world’s 9 smelliest animals
Many animals rely on their potent natural odour for defense, marking territory, to attract a mate, or communication. From the smell of rotten eggs to a stench that can be smelled a mile away and a reptile bird that chews on decaying bacteria – if that isn’t enough to make your eyes water, here are […]
Defying drought and invasives, a feisty Australian marsupial makes a comeback
The ampurta, a blond or brown guinea pig-sized marsupial, is distinctive for its short, fat tail that becomes a black mohawk at the tip. This micro-predator, also known as the crest-tailed mulgara, was once abundant in the arid, sandy landscapes of Central Australia as well as Western Australia. But by 1994, it had been listed […]
Poop pills and gut microbes: Wildlife microbiome studies aid conservation
Human microbiome research is a blossoming field of study, shedding light on the millions of microbes living within us — microscopic species frequently vital to our health. In tandem, researchers across the globe have also been delving into the microbes living inside wildlife in hopes of developing a new conservation and rewilding tool. Early research […]
Which way will the wind blow? Decision day looms for planned windfarm on Tasmania’s Robbins Island
More people have heard of Robbins Island than have seen it. Separated from Tasmania’s north-western tip by a stretch of water that can be navigated only at low tide, the island is nearly 10,000 hectares of heathland and woodlands, paddocks, unusual geology and wetlands, all ringed by pristine beaches. The island has been owned by […]
‘Really amazing’: joy as 10 Tasmanian devil joeys emerge from Australia’s biggest mainland breeding program
Ten tiny, egg-like joeys have been confirmed as the newest members of mainland Australia’s largest fleet of Tasmanian devils. It comes after the first pouch check of the 2025 breeding season at Aussie Ark’s Barrington Tops sanctuary in northern NSW. A recent deluge that brought more than 600mm to the region didn’t rain on the […]
New Study Shows Tasmanian Devil Facial Cancer Might Not Be On the Decline
A recent critique by researchers from the University of Cambridge has sparked controversy over a previous study’s findings regarding the decline of facial cancer among Tasmanian devils. The original study, published in 2020 in the journal Science, suggested a slowing rate of transmission of Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), raising hopes that the species might […]
Canine Teeth in Marsupial Carnivores Erupt Continuously Through Life, Study Suggests
There has long been interest in comparing the biology of placental and marsupial mammals, and how distinct traits relate to adaptations and convergent eco-morphological niches in different parts of the world. One trait of interest is the pattern of tooth replacement. “Unlike humans, or dogs or many other animals that have a baby set and […]