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Old 2nd November 2009, 02:44 PM   #41
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Originally Posted by skeptigirl View Post
Nothing, you are wrong. The nose is all wrong as is the size.
(shrug) Been wrong before. Will be wrong again.
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Old 2nd November 2009, 03:24 PM   #42
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Originally Posted by skeptigirl View Post
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.
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Old 2nd November 2009, 07:06 PM   #43
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Absolutely and definitively not a devil.

It's a possum.
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Old 2nd November 2009, 07:14 PM   #44
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Originally Posted by taiyo View Post
This was my attempt but I'm not sure it adds much!
http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/3315/zoo048c.jpg
Looks like a fruit bat or something
http://www.pacificworlds.com/cnmi/la.../fruitbat1.jpg
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Old 2nd November 2009, 07:36 PM   #45
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Originally Posted by icerat View Post
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.
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Last edited by skeptigirl; 2nd November 2009 at 07:39 PM.
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Old 2nd November 2009, 07:59 PM   #46
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lolcat
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Old 2nd November 2009, 11:28 PM   #47
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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.
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Last edited by A.A.Alfie; 2nd November 2009 at 11:31 PM.
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Old 2nd November 2009, 11:33 PM   #48
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Pretty sure it is a Tasmanian Devil.
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Old 2nd November 2009, 11:34 PM   #49
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A kinkajou?
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Old 2nd November 2009, 11:37 PM   #50
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Carebear?
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Old 2nd November 2009, 11:46 PM   #51
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Much more likely a Quokka than a devil
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Old 3rd November 2009, 01:52 AM   #52
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It's Willie Wombat off the Tingha and Tucker club.

Boomerang woomerang!

Yuri
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Old 3rd November 2009, 02:17 AM   #53
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Originally Posted by Yuri Nalyssus View Post
It's Willie Wombat off the Tingha and Tucker club.

Boomerang woomerang!

Yuri
Is that Steve Irwin's Mum?
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Old 3rd November 2009, 06:09 AM   #54
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Of course it's a bloody brush-tail.

Poor Alfie. I feel for ya Mate.
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Old 3rd November 2009, 01:17 PM   #55
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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?
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Old 3rd November 2009, 01:20 PM   #56
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Originally Posted by Yuri Nalyssus View Post
It's Willie Wombat off the Tingha and Tucker club.

Boomerang woomerang!

Yuri
Wombat noses don't match.
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Old 3rd November 2009, 01:22 PM   #57
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Originally Posted by Zax63 View Post
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.
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(*Tired of continuing to hear the "Democrat Party" repeatedly I've decided to adopt the name, Republic Party, in response.)
(**Tired of the current Republican talking point of naming everything after Pelosi, Reid &/or Obama, I've decided to start adding Republican names to their fault fiascos.)
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Old 3rd November 2009, 02:03 PM   #58
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Originally Posted by Zax63 View Post
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.
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Old 3rd November 2009, 04:25 PM   #59
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Originally Posted by Lucian View Post
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!
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Old 3rd November 2009, 05:05 PM   #60
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Originally Posted by Zax63 View Post
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.
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Old 3rd November 2009, 05:20 PM   #61
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So is it a tasmanian devil, or not?
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Old 3rd November 2009, 05:32 PM   #62
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Originally Posted by icerat View Post
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."
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Old 3rd November 2009, 06:50 PM   #63
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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?!!
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Old 3rd November 2009, 07:47 PM   #64
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Originally Posted by Lucian View Post
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.

Originally Posted by Wowbagger View Post
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.

Originally Posted by DogB View Post
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."
Wins the thread!
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Old 3rd November 2009, 07:48 PM   #65
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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
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Old 4th November 2009, 01:04 AM   #66
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Maybe it is a tasmanian tiger? http://mizba.files.wordpress.com/200...__430x3053.jpg
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Old 4th November 2009, 07:19 AM   #67
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My mate Thyla seen one of them just last week.
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Old 4th November 2009, 07:43 AM   #68
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Go ann an tell us about it.
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Old 4th November 2009, 07:49 AM   #69
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Geez, how much can a Koala bear?
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Old 4th November 2009, 08:11 AM   #70
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Horrible?

http://papundits.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/pogo_1.gif
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Old 4th November 2009, 12:26 PM   #71
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Originally Posted by A.A.Alfie View Post
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?
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Old 5th November 2009, 12:09 AM   #72
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Quote:
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!?!?

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Old 5th November 2009, 03:35 AM   #73
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Originally Posted by AndyD View Post
Wow, not much of a life is it?!

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

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...UN-5QF86G?open


However our photograph subject of the OP is not in danger.
Why?
Because it's not a devil.
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Old 6th November 2009, 05:48 AM   #74
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I got another reply from the docent:
Quote:
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.
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Old 6th November 2009, 05:51 AM   #75
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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)
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Old 6th November 2009, 07:16 AM   #76
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Originally Posted by EHocking View Post
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.
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Old 6th November 2009, 07:28 AM   #77
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Tasmanian Devils
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Old 6th November 2009, 09:01 AM   #78
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Old 6th November 2009, 09:13 AM   #79
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Originally Posted by EHocking View Post
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.
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Old 7th November 2009, 12:28 AM   #80
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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.
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