Page 49 - BBC Wildlife Volume 36 #05

“ WHEN THE FIRST DEVIL TURNED
UP, THERE WAS A TANGIBLE

CHANGE OF MOOD IN THE TENT.
THIS IS WHAT I CAME TO THE

OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD FOR!”

Tasmania’s
Bonorong
W
Wildlife
Sanctuary has
been rescuing
injured and
orphaned native
species for
many years.
Here, director
Greg Irons feeds
kangaroo meat
to two devils.
DUNNARTS SMINTHOPSIS MARSUPIAL MOLES THYLACINE THYLACINUS
There are 21 species of dunnart, NOTORYCTES There are six known species of the
which tend to be similar in appearance As their common name suggests, Thylacinus genus, but only the one
and behaviour to the antechinuses, marsupial moles spend most of their known as the Tasmanian tiger still
but with larger ears and eyes and lives underground. There are two survived by the time humans had
slightly pointier noses. They too species (northern and southern), but evolved. Though they are similar
prey largely on invertebrates. The unlike the moles found in Europe, they in appearance to dogs, there is no
white-footed dunnart is confined to inhabit sand dunes. Ants, termites and suggestion they lived in packs, and
Tasmania and the extreme south-east beetle larvae make up most of their some evidence they were more similar
coast of mainland Australia. diet, but they will also tackle lizards. in behaviour to ambush hunters.

Spring 2018 BBC Wildlife 49