Encounter With a Wild Tasmanian Devil

In the dusk of December 9th, 2017, I made my way down an overgrown forestry road in the northwest of Tasmania. It was an onerous ordeal schlepping my bike over all the downed trees blocking the road. I had come on the recommendation of a guidebook that this was a good place to catch a glimpse of the elusive Tasmanian devil. Just as I thought I'd miss my chance, I noticed a dog-like critter loping along the road in the distance. This is what followed.

[@OO-ww2vx]

Why didn’t it spin in a tornado and ramble aggressively

[@laserguidedtrollmasterfromHell]

I'm a dummy you're right. 🤪

[@theganklist]

😂

[@pkmntrainerdee6153]

And shouting some gibberish with a raspberry.

[@bricktrooperproductions]

why are they so cute yet so vicious

[@GXoXdIsNotaMANtimeUtoWakeUp]

Albino u want one

[@_skaadii]

they arent its just their Sounds

[@vanesa12321]

Looks like black bear cub or puppy

[@janeE011]

What a goofy looking little dude! But I think they have some big teeth, no? ❤❤❤

[@olgamakarova5520]

Yes.
Vicious temper, big teeth , for sure

[@yesterdaystomorrow5510]

It has the strongest bite force based on relative size of all mammalian carnivores. They can chomp at around 553 Newtons. For reference, the Gray Wolf has a bite force of about 593 Newtons and is much larger.
Tasmanian Devils are known to bite through metal fences and obviously break bones.

[@jeromecabral192]

They look so friendly

[@TheSupart91]

If not friend.......why friend shaped 🐾😂 he just needs a scooby snack

[@phantom6975]

Tasmanian Angel 😍

[@4Mr.Crowley2]

Their bite power = crushing the bones of a human arm

[@rhondakatzenmyer8680]

Is what I heard about 40 year's ago...it only takes 6 to take a cow down. Very vicious, and yes, very cute.

[@Da_doggo104]

Ahh it’s like a cute little dog

[@leroy92TX]

that thing looked like a pit bull puppy for a second lmaoo

[@myfriendisaac]

Wow. Not fearful of people at all 💯

[@Author_master_Levi]

Omg so cute! Where did you see him/her I was at Arthur River the other day and saw one

[@wendytadlock3270]

So adorable 🥰

[@chantallaflamme6454]

100% would pet. Absolute cutie ❤

[@dukerrr]

🌪

[@stephill3516]

Never Seen these little critters in real life. Very cute. Are they always that tame? I thought they were rather aggressive. Is this one full grown size?

[@mirandoelmundo131]

I think it was full size. It didn’t notice me at first, then ran off when it heard me breathe. I think they just have fairly poor eyesight.

[@platypus2141]

They're very aggressive creature actually but idk about this one lol

[@stephill3516]

Thank you both for answering and giving information! Very fascinating mammal and no other alike it...

[@tamipierce5916]

​@@platypus2141 I've always heaes they aren't really aggressive unless it's with their own kind or feeling scared...!! I heard they will let you pet them and even some of the younger ones will allow you to pick them up

[@alfonzokingjr.838]

They look like Wolverines 😂😂

[@aitornavarro6597]

Looks like a bit like some sort of miniature blavk bear haha

[@cac_deadlyrang]

Cute.

[@rebeccalyon3847]

These guys are one tough crowd.

[@h4tchetman]

Can you imagine with another 1 or 10 million years of evolution would turn these creatures into?

[@fliph7481]

Cool

[@Mewws]

if not friend why friend shaped?

[@TIKY0-i3d]

fun fact:bugs bunny owns a tasmanian devil

[@Pwnagotchi-0]

Hardest bite of any mammal per size

[@Irelynn_not_Ireland]

Holy 💩

[@oWoWyu]

❤

[@Fairyjewels93]

Its a puppy bear 😍😍😍

[@NukeWalker]

Honestly, as cute as wild animals are, if one was just approaching me like this - my first thought would just be "If it's running TOWARDS me instead from AWAY from me - it 100% has rabies, I need to get the hell out of here".

[@mirandoelmundo131]

It ran away as soon as it detected my scent and heard me move. I think the wind was blowing towards me.

[@pecashion]

Awwwe❤❤❤❤

[@blinkbomb]

Just a lil bear puppy

[@potatoes8414]

Assault and battery looney toons

[@amrit0]

Running like he gotta go poo

[@billycasper3545]

Looks like my terrier 😂

[@markwithers9468]

I wanna pet that doggie

[@VivianaCarranza-yq2hr]

dévil of tazmania god be carefull cáncer desastre facial nice devil of tazmania love love

[@olgamakarova5520]

Quite a cute character , agreed 👍
To look at , that is.
Except its temper is quite bad 👎

[@smashlee6181]

it's temper is what makes it cute since they can't really do much to you

[@olgamakarova5520]

@@smashlee6181
These things have HUGE bite force and huge teeth.
Despite being so small

[@olgamakarova5520]

@@smashlee6181
And , yes , they are VICIOUS

[@kalabpoteete2021]

@calamityclash001