A pleasant facade often conceals a ruthless drive for self-preservation.

Australia's magnificent evolutionary misfits

Chapter 1

The egg-laying rulebreakers

Chapter 2

Marsupials with bizarre superpowers

Chapter 3

Birds of drama and design

Chapter 4

Masters of extreme survival

Ch 4 · Masters of extreme survival
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matilda The Tasmanian Devil

I store my extra energy right in my tail! (Oh, in my tail!)

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A pleasant facade often conceals a ruthless drive for self-preservation.

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Glossary
torpor (noun)
A state of lowered physiological activity, typically characterized by reduced body temperature and metabolic rate. University of New England researchers documented echidnas entering torpor to survive Australian forest fires.

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Fun Fact

Tasmanian devil ears: A Tasmanian devil's ears turn bright red when it is angry or excited, due to increased blood flow to the area.

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Quiz

What is the name of the skin membrane that allows sugar gliders to glide?

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Quiz

How does a thorny devil lizard transport water from its skin to its mouth?

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Quiz

On which Australian island are quokkas most famously found?

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Quiz

How do sugar gliders steer while gliding through the air?

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Quiz

Where is the wild population of Tasmanian devils exclusively found today?

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Gossip

Which Australian survival superpower would you want?

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Quiz

What controversial survival tactic do quokka mothers use when chased by predators?

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Quiz

Why do Tasmanian devils make loud, screeching noises while feeding?

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Quiz

What is the primary diet of the thorny devil lizard?

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