Help me ID this animal

[Zax63]

Does anyone know what animal is in the picture? Sorry about the quality. I've been curious about this for 20 years or more. I'm hoping one of you brilliant people has the answer.

This was in the Small Mammal House at the Philadelphia Zoo around 20-25 years ago. To the best of my recollection the lighting was very dim, the enclosure was a kind of a dry, sandy, rocky terrain. There was some kind of den or burrow made of fake rock like material with a window so people could look in at it when it was inside. I hear a noise, look up and on top of the den structure is this thing. I think it was about the size of a small dog. It may be hard to tell but it was kind of hunched over, holding whatever it was eating in it's from paws. I'm pretty sure it was not supposed to be there as if it jumped off towards the camera it would have been out of the enclosure and in the middle of the hallway. Obviously we looked for a sign but couldn't spot one. To be honest I'm not even sure if the animal belonged in that display.

See, it is possible to take a crappy picture of a real animal, so maybe the bigfoot people are onto something. :D

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll70/Zax63/Zoo_048c.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll70/Zax63/Zoo_048.jpg

[Dymanic]

http://images.google.com/images?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4DKUS_enUS236US239&q=tasmanian+devil&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=Ei7uSuDvBIrIsQOPw7T1Aw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBIQsAQwAA

[John Jones]

Tasmanian Devil?

[dropzone]

Sloth bear. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloth_Bear

What do I win?

[DogB]

I just spent ten minutes trying to enhance the photo to get a clearer image with very little luck. there's just not enough data to work with. If you have the negative you could get it properly scanned and maybe you might be able to get a decent image.

Otherwise my thumbsuck guess is some sort of possum.

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/9284aee31a0a8b32.jpg

[Alan]

I also think it's most likely a possum.

Most other people think it's marsupial-y too.

[Lucian]

I just spent ten minutes trying to enhance the photo to get a clearer image with very little luck. there's just not enough data to work with. If you have the negative you could get it properly scanned and maybe you might be able to get a decent image.

Otherwise my thumbsuck guess is some sort of possum.

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/9284aee31a0a8b32.jpg

This looks right to me. Dark as the pictures in the OP are, the animal does appear to have a pink nose (or at least a nose that is a lighter color than the rest of the animal).

I have to say, though, this is much cuter than any actual possum I've seen in real life.

[DogB]

I have to say, though, this is much cuter than any actual possum I've seen in real life.

Really? That's a common brush tail and I find them all almost irresistably cute.

[Zax63]

Thanks everyone. I could see the Tasmanian Devil but I like the possum idea better. DogB's picture looks pretty close on the nose and the ears are similar also. I agree on the cuteness. This is what I think of when I think possum (http://areyouhappyatwork.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/possum.jpg). I've only seen them as roadkill unfortunately.

Sorry, dropzone, I've seen sloth bears at the zoo and this would have to be a very small cub. I would think it would be in the nursery or with the other bears.

[Lucian]

Really? That's a common brush tail and I find them all almost irresistably cute.

I'm thinking we may be from different continents.

[Lucian]

Thanks everyone. I could see the Tasmanian Devil but I like the possum idea better. DogB's picture looks pretty close on the nose and the ears are similar also. I agree on the cuteness. This is what I think of when I think possum (http://areyouhappyatwork.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/possum.jpg). I've only seen them as roadkill unfortunately.

Sorry, dropzone, I've seen sloth bears at the zoo and this would have to be a very small cub. I would think it would be in the nursery or with the other bears.

That's the kind of possum I've seen as well. I've also seen them mostly as roadkill, but I have seen a few live ones--kind of like big rats that have a place to put their keys (or babies).

[taiyo]

I just spent ten minutes trying to enhance the photo to get a clearer image with very little luck. there's just not enough data to work with. If you have the negative you could get it properly scanned and maybe you might be able to get a decent image.

This was my attempt but I'm not sure it adds much!
http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/3315/zoo048c.jpg (http://img11.imageshack.us/i/zoo048c.jpg/)

[shemp]

Obviously, it's a Bigfoot.

[DogB]

I'm thinking we may be from different continents.

Opossum vs possum. confusing huh?

And yes, thanks to Zax63's picture, I see what you mean. That's a nasty looking piece of work.

[Skeptic Ginger]

Tasmanian Devil?Yep.

[Skeptic Ginger]

Sloth bear. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloth_Bear

What do I win?Nothing, you are wrong. The nose is all wrong as is the size.

[Skeptic Ginger]

Tasi Devil (http://bellsouthpwp2.net/j/_/j_km2/tasmanian-devil.jpg)

Other clues:Small Mammal House at the Philadelphia Zoo... lighting was very dim, the enclosure was a kind of a dry, sandy, rocky terrain. ... some kind of den or burrow made of fake rock ... about the size of a small dog.

National Geo Page (http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/tasmanian-devil.html)...reaching 30 inches (76 centimeters) in length and weighing up to 26 pounds (12 kilograms), although its size will vary widely depending on its specific range and the availability of food. Its oversize head houses sharp teeth and strong, muscular jaws...Devils are solitary and nocturnal, spending their days alone in hollow logs, caves, or burrows, and emerging at night to feed.

[DogB]

I'm somewhat sure it's not a Tasmanian Devil. The nose is the wrong colour, the face profile is wrong and, while I’m not ruling it out, I’ve never seen a TD adopt that particular pose.

On the other hand that pose is quite common for possums.
http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/9284aee5dc22a142.jpg

[DogB]

I should say I'm far from convinced it's a possum as well. I don't think the photo is nearly good enough to get a definitive ID.

[Lucian]

Opossum vs possum. confusing huh?


Well, perhaps, but in the US, opossums are commonly called "possums." By the way, why did you get all the cute marsupials? It just doesn't seem fair. One butt-ugly marsupial in all the world and it gets plopped down in the United States.

[Skeptic Ginger]

Your possum has too much light colored chest and belly hair. And I don't agree on the facial shape. I'll give you the Tasi nose color though.

But that could be reflection rather than true color.

I'm still convinced it's a devil. Too bad it doesn't have the male chest stripe. That's pretty distinctive for a devil.

[DogB]

Well, perhaps, but in the US, opossums are commonly called "possums."

Sure, I understand. That comment wasn't meant to be snide, sorry if it came across that way.

By the way, why did you get all the cute marsupials? It just doesn't seem fair. One butt-ugly marsupial in all the world and it gets plopped down in the United States.

Oh I don’t know. To me the opossum just looks like a small quoll. You take the wrong photo of a quoll and it looks a little nasty.

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/9284aee68343bd5f.jpg

But they can be cute also.

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/9284aee68344e4ab.jpg

[DogB]

Your possum has too much light colored chest and belly hair.

I’ve seen them nearly totally black and nearly totally white. They do tend to be lighter on the belly but that’s a pretty dark photograph

And I don't agree on the facial shape.

Fair enough

I'll give you the Tasi nose color though.

But that could be reflection rather than true color.

I considered a diffuse reflection and rejected it due to lack of ambient light – but I’ll admit the possibility.

I'm still convinced it's a devil. Too bad it doesn't have the male chest stripe. That's pretty distinctive for a devil.

Put it this way. I used to do mammal surveys for a living. If I saw that shape in my spotlight I’d call ‘brushy’ and move on. That said, devils don’t climb and most brushtails are spotted in trees so normally it’s challenging to mix them up.

Personally I think it’s quite probable that we’re both very wrong.

[Lucian]

Sure, I understand. That comment wasn't meant to be snide, sorry if it came across that way.

I didn't take it as snide; I was just clarifying.



Oh I don’t know. To me the opossum just looks like a small quoll. You take the wrong photo of a quoll and it looks a little nasty.

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/9284aee68343bd5f.jpg

But they can be cute also.

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/9284aee68344e4ab.jpg

Nope, opossums are never that appealing, and, hey, where are our koalas and wallabys?

[DogB]

...where are our koalas and wallabys?

Bigfoot ate 'em.

[Lucian]

Bigfoot ate 'em.

It all makes sense now!

[Skeptic Ginger]

.... That said, devils don’t climb and most brushtails are spotted in trees so normally it’s challenging to mix them up. I don't think it's exactly climbing just being on top of the rock house structure. It isn't in a tree or anything.

...Personally I think it’s quite probable that we’re both very wrong.No way. I'm almost never wrong. ;)

[Skeptic Ginger]

Check out the ears of a Devil. They match the image quite well. Only some of the possum species ears are close to the same.

[DogB]

I don't think it's exactly climbing just being on top of the rock house structure. It isn't in a tree or anything.

No. I just meant that it’s a diagnostic in the wild. See a shape in a tree and it ain’t a TD. No implications for our mystery beast.

No way. I'm almost never wrong. ;)

I’ll keep that in mind. :)

Check out the ears of a Devil. They match the image quite well. Only some of the possum species ears are close to the same.

Ya think? I think they’re closer to the possum than to the TD. Which is probably a good indication of the quality of the photograph.

Tell you what. Find me an image of a TD in the same pose as the mystery beast and I’ll concede. I’m not even sure that a devil can bend like that.

This is the closest I can find.

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/9284aee7a2ca79e6.jpg

[A.A. Alfie]

Firstly - it sure is not a Tassie Devil

Devils do not hold their food daintily in their front paws. They gnaw and chew and growl and snarl and yip and cry when they eat. If you saw a devil eating you would know it. They're really noisy.

It's possibly a possum or similar.
It might also bee a small wallaby or the like.

I like possum

http://forums.randi.org/picture.php?albumid=289&pictureid=1752

[Eyeron]

Werekoala.

[A.A. Alfie]

Either that or a drop bear

[arthwollipot]

Devils do not hold their food daintily in their front paws. They gnaw and chew and growl and snarl and yip and cry when they eat. If you saw a devil eating you would know it. They're really noisy.Having witnessed this the last time I was in Tasmania, it is true. Devils are the exact opposite of dainty.

[EHocking]

Not a TD the head is not massive enough, very likely to be a Common Brush-tailed Possum. Having seen a few in my life it's the very first thing that sprung to mind. Colouring, head and body proportions and pose is typical Possum. Most unlikely to be a Ring-tailed Possum (http://laughingboomer.com/files/shared-images/PC050017Ring-tailed_Possum.jpg)as the colouring is not typical. It's a pretty poor image, but I have a high degree of confidence. Any chance of a better scan, or was this a digital photo and that's the best resolution we'll get?

Here's a head on shot (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.stclairs.com/images/Basil.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.stclairs.com/brush-tailed-possum.htm&usg=__tBA5v_qQx7GyftHhLtMvIY-6aH8=&h=343&w=450&sz=53&hl=en&start=19&um=1&tbnid=YN1QO9dSaqGMFM:&tbnh=97&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbrush-tailed%2Bpossum%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom. microsoft:en-US%26sa%3DN%26start%3D18%26um%3D1)with the beasty in a similar pose (and colouring) as the OPs photo.

[Zax63]

No sign of the negative as yet but I found the original photo. It's just as dark but I'll try to take a better scan when I get to work in a few hours. The photo is dated 11-11-1980.

The real problem I have with the Tasmanian Devil is that I don't recall one being shown at our zoo. With the cartoon tie-in(remember it's 29 years ago) I think it would be a pretty big attraction. When we had a koala on loan it was big news and there was a huge line to get to see it. Still, I'm not up on every zoo event and since there was no signage it may have been in some kind of holding or quarantine prior to being displayed.

Firstly - it sure is not a Tassie Devil

Devils do not hold their food daintily in their front paws. They gnaw and chew and growl and snarl and yip and cry when they eat. If you saw a devil eating you would know it. They're really noisy.


I have seen Devils eating on nature programs so I know what you are talking about but that has always been tearing at a carcass of something. Is it possible it could act this way given a lump of food? I don't know.

I wish my memory of the event were better. I did say that noise attracted me to look up at it. I remember we(my sister & I) were laughing about it but now I can't recall if it was because it looked like it could jump on us or because it was making weird noises or both. I'll check with my sister but I doubt she will even remember it.

[icerat]

Good chance it's some sort of possum, definitely not a devil.

http://www.bushheritage.org.au/newsletters/2003winter/images/blackpossum2.jpg

Seen both often. There's also a chance it's a variety of tree kangaroo (http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=tree+kangaroo&form=QB&qs=n#) but the nose doesn't look right

http://www.vulkaner.no/n/austral/tree_kangaroo_01t.jpg

[Tanja]

I have no idea what the animal is (I can just about narrow it down to "some kind of new world creature"), but have you considered or tried e-mailing the zoo an asking them? I would think they would be happy to reply to such a query.

[Zax63]

Here is a new scan, not much better I'm afraid.
http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/63264aeefb04de9a8.jpg

And my own attempt to enhance it.
http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/63264aeefb050d1ce.jpg

EHocking - I like the Common Brush-tailed Possum as a candidate. The picture you provided in that pose really sells it.

Tanja - good idea. I suspect after 29 years they will only be able to guess but their guesses will probably be better than ours.

ETA: I wrote to the zoo but they say the questions go to "Ask an Expert service provided by the Docent Council". I'm not sure that is even affiliated with my zoo. I'll see what kind of response I get before pursuing it any farther.

[jasonpatterson]

Well, perhaps, but in the US, opossums are commonly called "possums." By the way, why did you get all the cute marsupials? It just doesn't seem fair. One butt-ugly marsupial in all the world and it gets plopped down in the United States.

I've seen opossum, possum, and even apossum. These things are the only marsupials that were able to make inroads from South America when the Americas joined. They are still very poorly adapted to most of the continent, but they are pretty adaptable critters, and have spread a lot. (Older individuals usually are missing some of their toes and the tips of their tails due to frostbite, for instance.) They can be not quite horrible sometimes, especially the babies, but usually they just look like giant rats. Perhaps their horribleness has helped them.

[Skeptic Ginger]

Good chance it's some sort of possum, definitely not a devil.

http://www.bushheritage.org.au/newsletters/2003winter/images/blackpossum2.jpg

Seen both often. There's also a chance it's a variety of tree kangaroo (http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=tree+kangaroo&form=QB&qs=n#) but the nose doesn't look right

http://www.vulkaner.no/n/austral/tree_kangaroo_01t.jpg
Well I would not say "definitively" not a devil but I will say your top image is the closest match on the page.

[dropzone]

Nothing, you are wrong. The nose is all wrong as is the size.(shrug) Been wrong before. Will be wrong again.

[icerat]

Well I would not say "definitively" not a devil but I will say your top image is the closest match on the page.

Well, as an aussie who grew up next to one of Australia's best known wildlife parks, was best friends with the owners kids, and spent a lot of time in the park, and who has a fiancee who had a job feeding devils at another well known aussie wildlife park, I'm pretty confident when I say - It's definitely and definitively not a devil.

[arthwollipot]

Absolutely and definitively not a devil.

It's a possum.

[Eos of the Eons]

This was my attempt but I'm not sure it adds much!
http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/3315/zoo048c.jpg (http://img11.imageshack.us/i/zoo048c.jpg/)
Looks like a fruit bat or something
http://www.pacificworlds.com/cnmi/land/images/fruitbat1.jpg

[Skeptic Ginger]

Well, as an aussie who grew up next to one of Australia's best known wildlife parks, was best friends with the owners kids, and spent a lot of time in the park, and who has a fiancee who had a job feeding devils at another well known aussie wildlife park, I'm pretty confident when I say - It's definitely and definitively not a devil.Well I've been to Tasmania and saw Wombats and Echidnas in the wild! ;) And Devils in the zoo. Oh yeah, and a possum with its foot on a plate of spaghetti on our picnic table staring us down in Australia, and raccoons in the US picking up candles we put out to watch them and snuffing the candles out by carefully turning them over in the dirt.......

You can't say anything certain from that grainy photo. Get real.

I'll buy the valid arguments, how they eat, color of the nose, ear shape, snout shape, location on top of the burrow (or whatever it is), nocturnal and so on. But the fact you are familiar with Tazy Devils? Not buying it.

[Trystero4]

lolcat

[A.A. Alfie]

Definitely not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil.

It is abolutely, definititely and without any shadow of a doubt - no room for maybe's - NOT a Tasmanian Devil!.

I have seen them wild, in parks, hand fed them, helped raise them from infants, collected road kill for them (yep, that's how we get their feed) and (nearly been bitten by one. I have seen themj eat, mate, rot away and die.

It is a possum (slim chance of a wallaby).

Oh, and by thye way, It is not a Tassie Devil.

[Trystero4]

Pretty sure it is a Tasmanian Devil.

[Alareth]

A kinkajou?

[Trystero4]

Carebear?

[A.A. Alfie]

http://forums.randi.org/picture.php?albumid=290&pictureid=1756


Much more likely a Quokka than a devil

[Yuri Nalyssus]

It's Willie Wombat off the Tingha and Tucker club (http://www.toonhound.com/tingha.htm).

Boomerang woomerang!

Yuri

[A.A. Alfie]

It's Willie Wombat off the Tingha and Tucker club (http://www.toonhound.com/tingha.htm).

Boomerang woomerang!

Yuri

Is that Steve Irwin's Mum?

[Akhenaten]

Of course it's a bloody brush-tail.

Poor Alfie. I feel for ya Mate.

[Zax63]

Quick update, just got an e-mail from one of the docents at the zoo. Unfortunately they could not see the pictures from the links I sent(stupid web forms). I replied with the pictures included. I also included a link to this thread.
They did tell me they can't check records back to 1980. I don't know if that means the zoo doesn't have records or if the docents don't have access.
Hopefully, I'll get another response within 24 hours.

Wow, who knew the Devil vs. Possum debate would be such a hot topic?

[Skeptic Ginger]

It's Willie Wombat off the Tingha and Tucker club (http://www.toonhound.com/tingha.htm).

Boomerang woomerang!

YuriWombat noses don't match.

[Skeptic Ginger]

Quick update, just got an e-mail from one of the docents at the zoo. Unfortunately they could not see the pictures from the links I sent(stupid web forms). I replied with the pictures included. I also included a link to this thread.
They did tell me they can't check records back to 1980. I don't know if that means the zoo doesn't have records or if the docents don't have access.
Hopefully, I'll get another response within 24 hours.

Wow, who knew the Devil vs. Possum debate would be such a hot topic?We have egos to protect. ;)

I've left an out as a safeguard for mine, just sticking to the evidence based conclusion, whatever that ends up being. :)

[Lucian]

Quick update, just got an e-mail from one of the docents at the zoo. Unfortunately they could not see the pictures from the links I sent(stupid web forms). I replied with the pictures included. I also included a link to this thread.
They did tell me they can't check records back to 1980. I don't know if that means the zoo doesn't have records or if the docents don't have access.
Hopefully, I'll get another response within 24 hours.

Wow, who knew the Devil vs. Possum debate would be such a hot topic?

We could try to decide the issue through trial by combat: put a devil and a possum in a darkened room together; whoever is standing at the end of an hour is the animal in the photo.

[supercorgi]

Well, perhaps, but in the US, opossums are commonly called "possums." By the way, why did you get all the cute marsupials? It just doesn't seem fair. One butt-ugly marsupial in all the world and it gets plopped down in the United States.

Well Australia also got more than its fair share of venomous snakes, spiders, lizards, and other critters too - so I'll stick with our one butt-ugly marsupial thank you very much!

[icerat]

Wow, who knew the Devil vs. Possum debate would be such a hot topic?

reminds me of the AGW debate. There's all these experts (aussies) stating unequivocally it's not a devil, but it's still supposedly a debate because someone without a clue says it might be a devil!

It's not a devil. :decool:

[John Jones]

So is it a tasmanian devil, or not?

[DogB]

There's all these experts (aussies)...

I actually asked a real expert in Australian marsupials. His direct quote: "It's a blurry black shape on a blurry black background. Could be any bloody thing."

[Wowbagger]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on there! You want us to help you Intelligently Design an animal that already exists thanks to natural selection?!!!

What will you want from us, next? A spiffy, new re-invention of the wheel?!!

[Zax63]

We could try to decide the issue through trial by combat: put a devil and a possum in a darkened room together; whoever is standing at the end of an hour is the animal in the photo.

Well, Michael Vick is in town. I'll see if we can set something up. :duck:

Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on there! You want us to help you Intelligently Design an animal that already exists thanks to natural selection?!!!

What will you want from us, next? A spiffy, new re-invention of the wheel?!!
Why did you have to spoil it? I had all these JREFers unwittingly participating in an ID thread and you go and ruin it. :mad:

I actually asked a real expert in Australian marsupials. His direct quote: "It's a blurry black shape on a blurry black background. Could be any bloody thing."

:D Wins the thread!

[AndyD]

What the hell, might as well add my opinion...

Absolutely, almost definitely, in fact almost completely certainly, NOT a Tassie Devil.

Absolutely, almost definitely, in fact almost completely certainly, a possum of some kind.

These are the facts of the case and they are not disputed :cool:

[rjh01]

Maybe it is a tasmanian tiger? http://mizba.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/tasmanian_tiger_wideweb__430x3053.jpg

[Akhenaten]

My mate Thyla seen one of them just last week.

[EHocking]

Go ann an tell us about it.

[Akhenaten]

Geez, how much can a Koala bear?

[bruto]

Horrible?

http://papundits.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/pogo_1.gif

[bruto]

Definitely not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil, not a devil.

It is abolutely, definititely and without any shadow of a doubt - no room for maybe's - NOT a Tasmanian Devil!.

I have seen them wild, in parks, hand fed them, helped raise them from infants, collected road kill for them (yep, that's how we get their feed) and (nearly been bitten by one. I have seen themj eat, mate, rot away and die.

It is a possum (slim chance of a wallaby).

Oh, and by thye way, It is not a Tassie Devil.could you clarify that a little?

[AndyD]

I have seen them eat, mate, rot away and die

Wow, not much of a life is it?!

Not bad enough that they die after mating but they rot away first!?!? :eek:

:)

[A.A. Alfie]

Wow, not much of a life is it?!

Not bad enough that they die after mating but they rot away first!?!? :eek:

:)

Actually and sadly I was being quite literal
The Tasmanian Devil is in some danger due to a contageous cancer (Devil Facial Tumour Disease or DFTD) that is ravaging the population. Here is a short narrative with the web address if you want more info....

"DFTD describes a horrific and fatal condition in Tasmanian devils which is characterised by the appearance of facial cancers. The tumours or cancers are first noticed in and around the mouth as small lesions or lumps. These develop into large tumours around the face and neck and sometimes even in other parts of the body.

DFTD is extremely unusual as it is only one of three recorded cancers that can spread like a contagious disease. The cancer is passed from devil to devil through biting. The live tumour cells aren’t rejected by their immune system because of a lack of genetic diversity among Tasmanian devils.

DFTD affects mainly adults - males seem to be the first affected, then females - although juveniles as young as one can also be infected. When the disease is advanced Tasmanian devils may have many cancers throughout the body."

http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/LBUN-5QF86G?open


However our photograph subject of the OP is not in danger.
Why?
Because it's not a devil.

[Zax63]

I got another reply from the docent:
I will check to see if our library at the zoo has a record of what might have been kept in that exhibit area in 1980. It looks like either a species of oppossum (North, South America) or possum (Australia, New Guinea). There are about 120 known species between the two. I don't believe it is a Virginia Opossum, and the closest resemblance might be to one of Australia's brush tail possums. However, the quality of the photo does not permit getting much closer than that, and I might be 10 miles off the mark. I will let you know negative or positive how my library check goes.


Thanks again to everyone for taking an interest and helping out. I'll post if they come up with any more information.

[EHocking]

Other than that I don't think you'll get much more.
My GoogleFu indicates that in the '80s, Philadelphia Zoo had T.devils, a number of possum species as well as tree kangaroos.

(it's a Brush-tailed Possum, btw)

[Akhenaten]

Other than that I don't think you'll get much more.
My GoogleFu indicates that in the '80s, Philadelphia Zoo had T.devils, a number of possum species as well as tree kangaroos.

(it's a Brush-tailed Possum, btw)





I'm sorry E, but I'm afraid I have to point out that for some reason. answers containing phrases similar to "It's a brush-tail" are being rendered invisible to most readers of this thread.


I've never been to the Philadelphia Zoo, so I don't know what they have there, but I have about six brush-tails in my back-yard at this very moment. finishing off a stale loaf of bread. I'd go and take their picture and post it, but I fear that the effort would be wasted since the images will somehow portray Tassie Devils, no matter what the actual subject is.

[Akhenaten]

http://www.yvonneclaireadams.com/Stuff/Images/Possums.jpg
Tasmanian Devils

[EHocking]

Wabbit Season

[Zax63]

Other than that I don't think you'll get much more.
My GoogleFu indicates that in the '80s, Philadelphia Zoo had T.devils, a number of possum species as well as tree kangaroos.

(it's a Brush-tailed Possum, btw)

My own GoogleFu has failed. Just out of curiosity could you provide a link or links and how you got there. Feel free to PM me if you'd prefer.

Thanks.

[Akhenaten]

Hey Zax, sorry if I've been sounding a bit strident.

It's just that like Alfie and a couple of other peeps, it's so bleedin' obvious what the critter is that it's slightly amazing that the question came up.

We're a wierd mob.

:)


Cheers mate.

[UnrepentantSinner]

I didn't read the thread, but I'll weigh in anyway... it looks like a Tasmanian Devil to me.











:duck:

[Akhenaten]

Welcome, oh bringer of peace!







PML

[A.A. Alfie]

Hey Zax, sorry if I've been sounding a bit strident.

It's just that like Alfie and a couple of other peeps, it's so bleedin' obvious what the critter is that it's slightly amazing that the question came up.

We're a wierd mob.

:)


Cheers mate.


You, my friend, are far too gentle.
:D

Great post 'though Zax.
I've got a pictue of something I took in the zoo.
The first one I think is a mountain lion.
The second is a skunk?

Can you and some of our Americal friends, please help me out?
http://forums.randi.org/picture.php?albumid=292&pictureid=1776

http://forums.randi.org/picture.php?albumid=292&pictureid=1776

[A.A. Alfie]

Doh!

[Akhenaten]

http://forums.randi.org/picture.php?albumid=292&pictureid=1775

[Skeptic Ginger]

I actually asked a real expert in Australian marsupials. His direct quote: "It's a blurry black shape on a blurry black background. Could be any bloody thing."I can agree with that assessment. ;)

[Skeptic Ginger]

Other than that I don't think you'll get much more.
My GoogleFu indicates that in the '80s, Philadelphia Zoo had T.devils, a number of possum species as well as tree kangaroos.

(it's a Brush-tailed Possum, btw)
I tried to find that data on Google and couldn't. How come you rate?

[Skeptic Ginger]

http://www.yvonneclaireadams.com/Stuff/Images/Possums.jpg
Tasmanian DevilsThose aren't devils. You can't fool me.

[Skeptic Ginger]

I didn't read the thread, but I'll weigh in anyway... it looks like a Tasmanian Devil to me.











:duck:Thank you!

But I have to admit, I am now torn between a devil and a fat nosed possum (place).

[Skeptic Ginger]

http://forums.randi.org/picture.php?albumid=292&pictureid=1775Like we can't tell a platypus when we see one. ;)

[Akhenaten]

Doh!


Happens to the best of us mate. :)

[Akhenaten]

Like we can't tell a platypus when we see one. ;)

<and other your posts above as well>





:D

[A.A. Alfie]

Like we can't tell a platypus when we see one. ;)

Debeaked and all.
;)

Anyway

How about some guesses on what my animals are...

[Akhenaten]

I won't Google and my guesses are:

1. NZ Huntaway.

2. Some variety of lemur.

[Akhenaten]

I'll have another go. I can see a lot of Dingo in that pup.

[A.A. Alfie]

I won't Google and my guesses are:

1. NZ Huntaway.

2. Some variety of lemur.

Bzzz

On the right track

[A.A. Alfie]

I'll have another go. I can see a lot of Dingo in that pup.

Very good. Pure bred dingo.

But I'm sure someone will try and tell us it's not a dingo because it's black.
Maybe it's a TD too?

[Akhenaten]

:)

You're right and I expect some 'discussion' as well. :)

I was tricked by the colour myself at first, but I've seen them like that on the Range around Toowoomba.

Good looking dog.

[A.A. Alfie]

:)

You're right and I expect some 'discussion' as well. :)

I was tricked by the colour myself at first, but I've seen them like that on the Range around Toowoomba.

Good looking dog.

This one's actually a Black Alpine Dingo - a shot I took at a zoo in Halls Gap (Vic) in January this year. The collar's a bit of a giveaway that she's not a wild one - they had just brought her out of her cage for a pat.

There are a few different dark ones across the continent. They have almost pure black ones (very rare) in middle/east Australia.

They range in colour from black, black-tan, yellow/ginger and pure white.

[Akhenaten]

We'll have to wait for the top-halfers to get out of bed, but I look forward to this, if it's not too much of a derail.

[A.A. Alfie]

We'll have to wait for the top-halfers to get out of bed, but I look forward to this, if it's not too much of a derail.

Hopefully they realise the other one (TD or brushtail) is dead and buried.

[Akhenaten]

I'd never swear to anything 100% in this place Alfie. They'll tan yer 'ide and nail it to the shed.


:D

[A.A. Alfie]

Thanks Clyde

;)

[Deetee]

Easy - common marmoset.

[Akhenaten]

Easy - common marmoset.





I've heard of those but I had no idea they had such big teeth.

What do you think the second picture is?

[A.A. Alfie]

http://forums.randi.org/picture.php?albumid=293&pictureid=1779
http://forums.randi.org/picture.php?albumid=293&pictureid=1778

Well done.

Marmosets - tiny little monkey thingies

[UnrepentantSinner]

We'll have to wait for the top-halfers to get out of bed, but I look forward to this, if it's not too much of a derail.

Ahem. Some of us need to get off work before we can even think about going to bed yet tonight. :D

Here's an American animal for you guys to try and figure out (I'll be off-line until Tue. night CST/Wednesday afternoon Aus. so if no one gets it I'll say then.)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Ochotona_princeps.jpg

[Akhenaten]

Oops. I fail time zones yet again. :blush:

Before I start guessing, I must say that it's a nice-looking critter, whatever it is.

Cheers

[M.R.B.]

Ahem. Some of us need to get off work before we can even think about going to bed yet tonight. :D

Here's an American animal for you guys to try and figure out (I'll be off-line until Tue. night CST/Wednesday afternoon Aus. so if no one gets it I'll say then.)


A creature from the Rockies. It's almost a rabbit, if not for evolution. I'll leave that as a hint.

Not that hard to figure out, actually...

[A.A. Alfie]

A Pika?

[Tiktaalik]

Yep, pika (rock rabbit).

[Zax63]

Sorry if I wasted anyone's time. All I can say in my defense is that Brush-Tail Possums are not commonly known in the U.S. I don't recall having heard the name before this thread. I imagine I would feel the same if people were arguing over the identity of a squirrel.

[Akhenaten]

Don't you dare apologise!

This is a great thread and it is we hijackers who ought to apologise.

:)

Can we keep 'er going? I don't know much about the wildlife in your neck of the woods and I'd love to learn.


Cheers Mate,

Dave

[John Jones]

Myabe this was suggested before, but it looks like a Tasmanian Devil.

[Akhenaten]

:D

Speak to Alfie about that.

[A.A. Alfie]

http://forums.randi.org/picture.php?albumid=294&pictureid=1792

Here's a fish that's a bit of fun to catch - darn good eating too.
Non Victorian and Taswegians only please.

[A.A. Alfie]

Myabe this was suggested before, but it looks like a Tasmanian Devil.

:D

Speak to Alfie about that.

You are both on ignore

[Akhenaten]

;)

[A.A. Alfie]

delete

[Zax63]

http://forums.randi.org/picture.php?albumid=294&pictureid=1792

Here's a fish that's a bit of fun to catch - darn good eating too.
Non Victorian and Taswegians only please.

Tasmanian Devilfish?

[Damien Evans]

http://forums.randi.org/picture.php?albumid=294&pictureid=1792

Here's a fish that's a bit of fun to catch - darn good eating too.
Non Victorian and Taswegians only please.

I can think of 5 different common names for that off the top of my head.

[Zax63]

http://forums.randi.org/picture.php?albumid=294&pictureid=1792

Here's a fish that's a bit of fun to catch - darn good eating too.
Non Victorian and Taswegians only please.

I honestly didn't think that one was real but thanks to a reverse image search:
It's an elephant shark (http://www.discoverychannel.co.uk/sharks/what_is_a_shark/index.shtml)

[EHocking]

<further derail>
Any budding ornithologists out there?

I contend that these (http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?%A3170k_for_a_pair_of_china_parrots&in_article_id=764749&in_page_id=34)are not parrots.
My best guess is:
Golden Pheasant (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chrysolophus_pictus2.png)

[A.A. Alfie]

I honestly didn't think that one was real but thanks to a reverse image search:
It's an elephant shark (http://www.discoverychannel.co.uk/sharks/what_is_a_shark/index.shtml)


Elephant shark - correct

Here's a couple of fine looking boys who had a pretty good day out earlier this year.

http://forums.randi.org/picture.php?albumid=301&pictureid=1798

http://forums.randi.org/picture.php?albumid=301&pictureid=1797

[Akhenaten]

Fine looking boys indeed Alfie.

Is that the Bay?

[A.A. Alfie]

Fine looking boys indeed Alfie.

Is that the Bay?


Westernport near Cowes.

We are off again this weekend (weather permitting): Snapper season.

Can't wait!

I honestly have few greater joys than seeing them reel in something decent, and if I catch something too, then all the better.