The Tasmanian Devil

What would you do if you heard a blood-curdling scream coming from the forest?

For Wally the wombat and Padma the pademelon, there’s only one reasonable answer: go find out what made it.

As night falls over the forests of Tasmania, the two friends hear something strange among the eucalyptus trees. First comes a scream. Then a growl. Then the unmistakable CRUNCH of something eating a bone.

Whatever is hiding behind those ferns must be enormous. Ferocious. Possibly bigger than a house.

Or … maybe Wally and Padma are getting a little carried away.

Their search leads them to a creature they weren’t expecting, and a chance to see those frightening sounds from a completely different point of view.

In this episode, we’ll get to know the Tasmanian devil and learn: 

• What it means to be a marsupial 
• How Tasmanian devils use powerful jaws to help them crunch through bones and other tough food
• Why these nocturnal animals scream, growl, show their teeth, and open their mouths incredibly wide

Wild and Kind Kids is a screen-free animal podcast for curious kids ages 3–8 and their grown-ups. Each episode combines movement, animal facts, an original story grounded in real science, and a Wild and Kind Mission that helps children see how they can care for wildlife, too.

Perfect for car rides, quiet time, homeschool science, or a family story together.

Keep exploring:

• Learn more about the work of Devils@Cradle and the WWF and see how to adopt a Tasmanian devil 
• Download a tasmanian devil coloring sheet 
• Follow us on Instagram @wildandkindkidspod
• Join our Kids Club or request an animal at wildandkindkids.com 

Learn along with us and explore some of the resources we consulted:

• See Tasmanian Devils (Photo Ark by National Geographic) 
• Tasmanian devil (National Geographic Kids) 
• Tasmanian devil facts for kids (Tasmanian Government) 
• Tasmanian devil (Perth Zoo) 
• Toledo Zoo discovers Tasmanian Devils that glow (NPR)