The Tasmanian devil is a most unusual mammal, found only on the Australian island of Tasmania. It is a marsupial, related to koalas and kangaroos. Why the fiery reputation? The oversize head, neck, and jaws are well suited to crushing bones. They make eerie growls while searching for food at night. And when a group of devils feeds together at a carcass, harsh screeching and spine-chilling screams can be heard. Tasmanian devil behaviors may seem odd or scary to us, but they have a different meaning in devil society. While their famous gape, or yawn, looks threatening, it is more likely to express fear and uncertainty than aggression. Fierce snarls and high-pitched screams are used to establish dominance at feeding time.