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This devil looks like it has an injury on its hind quarters. Possibly resulting from a fight with another devil. It seem to be moving okay and does not seem to have obvious tumours around the face or shoulders. Unfortunatley Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) has spread throughout much of Tasmania. In the late stages of the disease tumours can show in other parts of the body. It is fatal and research is being carried out to try to find a way to stop this disease. If you would like to know more check out the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program https://nre.tas.gov.au/wildlife-management/save-the-tasmanian-devil-program
A few months ago, I found an article on the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Commission) website that talked about using different lures to attract Tasmanian wildlife into camera traps for research. I’ll link the article at the end of the description. One of the lures which was successful was a feather boa. I thought I would give it a go and see what I get. The Tassie Devil loved it! Although I think it left a little disappointed that there was no actual bird. Other animals were curious and some indifferent. I’ve put out many lures to get the animals to spend time by the cameras. The feather boa was very cool, but not outstanding so far. We have many birds of prey around our area. Masked owls, Wedge-tailed eagles, Southern Boobooks, Goshawks to name a few. I’m planning to put a feather boa in a more open area and see if any of them are interested🤞 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-25/feral-cats-lured-with-feather-boas-to-track-them-in-forests/101368380
Wombats wander the bush nightly and occasionally early mornings. I wouldn't want to get in the way of this huge guy. It's so good to see Quolls making a comeback in the area. For several years the signs of them, like their scat or catching views of them on our cameras, became scarce. Lately scat and camera sightings have become common. Backyard chicken pens can become targets for these little carnivores but we have ours fully enclosed so everyone can live together happily.
I found this video of a Spotted Quoll while I was looking through old Tassie Devil videos. It is from 2016 and the only Quoll video I’ve managed to get so far. They are widely, but sparsely distributed across Tasmania, but extinct on King and Flinders Islands. They are nocturnal and solitary and eat mostly meat like birds, insects and small lizards although will also feed on nuts, fruit and grass.
For days after putting tuna out as a camera trap lure, the possums returned to the scent hoping to find more.
On our property we have many acres of trees. The biggest are Stringy Bark Eucalyptus trees which have rough bark and are easy for the possums to climb. These are the trees that they usually sleep in through the daylight hours. We also have lots of wattle trees which grow fast and have smooth, hard to grip bark. The possums tend to avoid these. These possums were learning why.
I tried tuna to attract the wild animals in our bush to stop by the TNL camera. I have read that it’s sometimes used by scientists as a camera trap lure. The pademelons and a wombat had a sniff, but the possums stayed to enjoy the meal.
This quoll was lucky enough to find an adult pademelon that had died close to the house. It’s constantly on the lookout. Tasmanian devils and feral cats would have taken their share if they had turned up.
Some of the common night animals of our Tassie bush.
(Apologies for the light flashes from the second camera at 1:00, 1:55 and 2:45 to 2:53 for anyone that may be photosensitive) Pademelons roam around the house and property all night and always check in at the house decking to see what vegetable scraps I’ve put out for them. This day I had been thinning out the vegetable garden beds, so there was plenty for everyone.
I put a garden ornament Cockatoo out in the bush for the Tasmanian wild animals to check out.
Since I have just recently welcomed the safe arrival of a beautiful granddaughter, I thought a mum and bub theme would be nice. So I hope you enjoy these beautiful wild, Tassie mums and their babies. The tassie devil in the video has a pouch that looks very full and has tiny joey devil tails poking out. Her pouch faces backwards like a wombats. Her pouch has four teats to suckle her young. Her babies are called imps or joeys and they will stay in the pouch for about four months. After they are old enough to leave her pouch, she will leave them in a den while she looks for foods.
Possums are territorial and scuffles and disputes are very common. This little possum isn’t taking any chances. It manages to keep out of the way as a bigger tough guy passes.
I put a radio out for the night to see what the wild animals would do. Modern and even 70’s music wasn’t their vibe! They all avoided it. They prefer the tranquility of a peaceful bush night. I can understand that!
Lyrebirds can be funny characters. They are shy birds who will hide at any sign of something they are not sure of.
On our property we have many acres of trees. The biggest are Stringy Bark Eucalyptus trees which have rough bark and are easy for the possums to climb. These are the trees that they usually sleep in through the daylight hours. We also have lots of wattle trees which grow fast and have smooth, hard to grip bark. The possums tend to avoid these. These possums were learning why.On our property we have many acres of trees. The biggest are Stringy Bark Eucalyptus trees which have rough bark and are easy for the possums to climb. These are the trees that they usually sleep in through the daylight hours. We also have lots of wattle trees which grow fast and have smooth, hard to grip bark. The possums tend to avoid these. These possums were learning why.
Wombats wander the bush nightly and occasionally early mornings. I wouldn't want to get in the way of this huge guy. It's so good to see Quolls making a comeback in the area. For several years the signs of them, like their scat or catching views of them on our cameras, became scarce. Lately scat and camera sightings have become common. Backyard chicken pens can become targets for these little carnivores but we have ours fully enclosed so everyone can live together happily.
This devil looks like it has an injury on its hind quarters. Possibly resulting from a fight with another devil. It seem to be moving okay and does not seem to have obvious tumours around the face or shoulders. Unfortunatley Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) has spread throughout much of Tasmania. In the late stages of the disease tumours can show in other parts of the body. It is fatal and research is being carried out to try to find a way to stop this disease. If you would like to know more check out the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program https://nre.tas.gov.au/wildlife-management/save-the-tasmanian-devil-program
The currawongs around the property are real characters. This mirror set up in the bush about 10 minutes walk from the house clearing is just the thing to get them interested. The Black Currawong or Black Jay is endemic to Tasmania and islands of Bass Strait. They are closely related to Butcherbirds and Australian Magpies.
I put a mirror set up in the bush to see what the wildlife will do with it. The possums mostly want to bite, climb and fight over it!
Extended version from the previous video with additional hand held takes. Every afternoon I throw vegetable scraps from preparing our dinner out over the front of the decking. Most of the pademelons come and visit for a feed around nightfall. This sweet little pademelon decided to brave the daylight to get the best pickings before the others. If she feels threatened she just ducks under the decking!
Tasmania’s Black Currawongs or Black Jays are very smart birds. They are always looking for mischief, including have a go at the ties on my camera.
Sometimes I like to give the animals that pass by the camera something to investigate. Like two tub buckets!
On our property the wild native animals are free to roam and sometimes it is interesting to see how they react to everyday items in their bush. Possums are very curious and always investigate things thoroughly!
On our property the wild native animals are free to roam and sometimes it is interesting to see how they react to everyday items in their bush. Possums are very curious and always investigate things thoroughly!
Females and juveniles stay in groups and forage and chatter to each other.
Possums are mostly solitary animals and when an intruder enters another’s territory fur can fly. Grunting, growling, hissing, screeching, clicking and teeth-chattering calls are used to intimidate the intruder.
I put a cutout of a cat in the bush. Watch the reactions of wildlife when they find it.
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