213 research outputs found
Temporal and spatial distribution of the Tasmanian Devil, Sarcophilus harrisi (Dasyuridae: Marsupialia)
The Tasmanian devil Sarcophilus harrisi(Boitard), once widespread on continental Australia, probably became extinct there partly due to food competition with dingoes and, possibly, black man and their extinction may have been expedited by a dry climatic change before white mall's appearances. Recent reports of wild devils on the continent must be regarded as very doubtful. Devils now are widespread and numerous in Tasmania and have
suffered at least one major population cycle since white occupation. The species appears to live well in competition with man
Some thoughts on man and the mammals in the Central Plateau
The Central Plateau area represents a region of
considerable richness in mammals, all of our native and
introduced species being recorded from various places, often
in considerable numbers. The richness of the fauna has
attracted people to the area since the earliest days of
settlement and one of the features of the Plateau has been
the development of family enclaves which have persisted in
some places to the present day. Initially, the Plateau
provided sanctuary for bush rangers, escaped convicts and
others who wished to avoid too much contact with the law,
and they were able to live, raise families and survive in
a rigorous environment using the wildlife as a source of
food and income. With greater accessibility the Plateau
became noted for the wealth of wildlife available for
hunting, either for food, pelts or recreation, and snaring
became a profitable occupation for the shepherds who had
moved into the area to mind the large flocks of sheep which
were pastured there, particularly on summer agistment
Albinism in the Tasmanian devil
An albino Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisi (Boitard)) has been captured near Bothwell, Tasmania. This is the first record of albinism in the Dasyuroidea
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