Home / Science / Ancient Devils Relied on Humans for Survival
Ancient Devils Relied on Humans for Survival
11 Sep
Summary
- Tasmanian devils lived with humans in Western Australia for millennia.
- Fossils reveal devils scavenged from human camps 46,000 years ago.
- Dingos likely displaced devils as primary scavengers around human camps.
Tasmanian devils were present in Western Australia's Pilbara region for over 40,000 years, coexisting with humans. Fossils unearthed at Juukan Gorge, dated between 7,000 and 46,000 years old, confirm their presence. Evidence such as bite marks on bones and signs of acid digestion suggests these devils scavenged from human camps, potentially becoming reliant on this food source.
Researchers believe the devils played a role as a 'local cleanup crew,' benefiting early human inhabitants by consuming carrion and reducing disease risks. This symbiotic relationship may have weakened with the arrival of dingos on the mainland. Dingos are thought to have outcompeted devils, becoming the primary scavengers around human encampments and in the wild, leading to the devils' eventual mainland extinction.
