Reproduction process of Tasmanian Devils
The female Tasmanian Devils become sexually mature for reproduction
when they reach the second year of their lives. The Tasmanian Devils
generally mate during the month of March. In the second year of the
lifecycle, the females become fertile once a year and produce numerous
ova while in heat. The mating of the Devils takes place in sheltered
locations throughout day and night.
The female counterparts automatically respond to the first cold snap of
the year by ovulating. In case, they do not get pregnant in the first
chance of sexual maturity, they usually ovulate twice more before going
out of season.
How do they mate?
The Tasmanian Devils mate continuously for five days and they usually
copulate for 15 seconds with a break of 20 minutes.
Behavioural traits of the female Devils
Both the male and female Tasmanian Devils become hostile when
encountered by one another. However, when the females ovulate, their
character changes and they generally become more submissive and
receptive in nature for allowing the approach of the males. Once
pregnant, the females become aggressive and turn the male out of the
den.
Who gets to mate the female Devils?
The male Devils fight over the females during the breeding season and
the females mate with the dominant male. Since the Devils are not
monogamous, the females mate with plenty of male partners if not guarded
after mating.
The time of pregnancy
The period of pregnancy or gestation lasts for 21 days. Some 20 to 30
young Devils weighing 0.18 to 0.24 grams are born at one time. However,
only four or five manage to live and continue to suck milk from their
mother for the next 100 days. More female babies survive than the males
on an average.
The newborn remains inside the pouch and are properly nourished. While
the external parts of the ear are visible within 15 days, the eyelids
become apparent by 16 days. The whiskers and the lips of the young
Devils appear at 16 and 17 days usually.
How do the young babies grow?
The fur coats of the Devils begin to grow at 49 days and the full fur
coat appears by 90 days. After their fur coat develops, their eyes open
and the Devils stop sucking the milk at the 100th day. The young Devils
leave their mother’s pouch on the 105th day after birth and weighing
around 8 oz and looking like their parents.
The young Tasmanian Devils, unlike the kangaroo joeys, do not return to
the pouch, they remain in the den for another three months. The young
Devils venture out of the den between October and December and they
become independent in the month of January.
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