Legal Status of Tasmanian Devils as Pets
In Australia, Tasmanian devils are listed as a protected species under state and federal wildlife laws, so private ownership is generally prohibited without special permits, and even then, most permits are issued only to zoos, sanctuaries, and accredited research institutions. In the United States, the Endangered Species Act and individual state exotic animal regulations make it illegal or heavily restricted to keep a Tasmanian devil as a pet in most jurisdictions, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides current listing details on its website U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Species Profile. Internationally, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, known as CITES, controls cross-border trade, and the official CITES species database confirms that Tasmanian devils are included in Appendix II CITES Appendices.
Some U.S. states, such as Texas and Nevada, have broader exotic pet allowances, but even in those states, local county or city ordinances and state wildlife agency rules typically prevent private individuals from keeping Tasmanian devils without a wildlife exhibitor or research permit. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, or AZA, maintains a list of accredited institutions that participate in the Species Survival Plan for Tasmanian devils, and their public database can be used to verify which facilities are authorized AZA Accredited Institutions. For most people, the practical outcome is that owning a Tasmanian devil as a household pet is not legally possible without institutional affiliation and government permits.
Costs, Housing, and Daily Care Requirements
Tasmanian devils require large, secure outdoor enclosures that mimic their natural burrows and foraging areas, with sturdy fencing, shelter structures, and environmental enrichment, and building a compliant enclosure can cost tens of thousands of dollars depending on size and materials. Their diet in captivity is mainly whole carcasses, including wallabies, possums, and specially formulated zoo carnivore diets, which can cost several hundred dollars per month, and the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute publishes detailed husbandry guidelines for carnivorous marsupials Smithsonian National Zoo Tasmanian Devil Care. Veterinary care is another major expense, because devils need regular health checks from exotic animal veterinarians, and treatment for diseases such as Devil Facial Tumor Disease, or DFTD, can be extremely costly and is often only available through specialized wildlife hospitals.
Daily care involves feeding, cleaning, monitoring behavior, and providing enrichment to prevent stereotypic pacing and obesity, tasks that demand significant time and expertise that most private owners cannot sustain. Tasmanian devils are nocturnal and highly active at night, so housing them near residential areas can create noise and odor issues that may violate local zoning and nuisance ordinances. Accredited facilities that keep Tasmanian devils follow strict standards for space, social grouping, and husbandry, and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, or EAZA, publishes updated husbandry guidelines for Tasmanian devils EAZA Husbandry Guidelines.
Risks, Conservation, and Alternatives to Ownership
Tasmanian devils have powerful jaws that can inflict serious bites, and they are capable of delivering strong kicks and scratches, making them unsuitable for households with children or other pets. They can carry zoonotic pathogens and parasites, and handling them without proper training and personal protective equipment poses health risks to humans and other animals