Lance Milnes, age 13, of Venice, Fla., for his question:
ARE THE TASMANIAN DEVIL AND THE TASMANIAN WOLF THE SAME?
The tiny, heart shaped island of Tasmania lies offthe southeastern corner of Australia. The Indian ocean laps its western shores, and waves from the Tasman Sea, part of the Pacific Ocean, wash its eastern shores. It is the smallest state in the Australian Commonwealth, and the last stronghold for two of nature's creatures the Tasmanian devil and the Tasmanian wolf.
The Tasmanian devil and the Tasmanian wolf are close cousins and even share the same family name. But they are quite different animals and probably wouldn't get along too well at a family get together.
Both are marsupial, or pouched, mammals, and are described as savage, vicious and ferocious. However, just as the Tasmanian wolf is not really a wolf, the Tasmanian devil is not really a devil, and both animals live their lives the best way they can.
At one time the Tasmanian devil was at home throughout much of Australia. Unfortunately, he developed a taste for chickens and sheep, which caused him to be rated a pest by farmers and ranchers. He was relentlessly hunted until his numbers dwindled, and finally he disappeared from Australia altogether. However, he somehow has managed to thrive on the island of Tasmania.
Looking somewhat like a jet black bear cub, he is about' three feet long and has a stubby 12 inch tail. With his pinkish snout and ears, and white splotches on throat and rump, he is a dapper fellow. In fact, when he forgets to snarl, you could even say he is handsome. When captured young and reared in captivity, he makes an interesting and affectionate pet.
The Tasmanian wolf is the largest of the meat eating marsupials. He stands about 18 inches high at the shoulder and is some 40 inches long with an 18 inch, unwaggable tail. He has a wolfish head and a rather long face, bright black eyes and rounded ears. His short, smooth coat is light brown with chocolate brown stripes across the back. Because of his stripes he has also been called the Tasmanian tiger or zebra wolf.
In the distant past he, too, could be found in many parts of Australia. But long centuries ago, when the early colonists arrived, their half tame dogs provided too much competition. As a result the Tasmanian wolf population dropped to zero. Even in Tasmania, his native home, his numbers have dropped and, sad to say, he is almost extinct.
The Tasmanian wolf's scientific name is Thylacinus cynocephalus, which means "pouched animal with a dog's head." Because of his shyness and rarity, little is known of his family life. The female's pouch opens toward the rear, which is unusual. Her litter may include up to four helpless infants who remain in her pouch, riding backward until they are ready to face the world on their own.