Tasmanian devils play around in winter wonderland

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Monday, December 19, 2016
Tasmanian devils play around in winter wonderland
Staff at Australian Reptile Park brought some winter cheer to these adorable Tasmanian devils.

On the other side of the world, even wild animals are getting into the holiday spirit.

Marley and Moose, two Tasmanian devil babies at the Australian Reptile Park, had fun in a specially-built winter wonderland in their enclosure.

"Tasmanian devils warm to all keepers that raise them, forming an inseparable bond," said Mammals Keeper Andrew Daly. "They're affectionate, curious, and inquisitive characters, sometimes shy and just like a household puppy disruptive in an innocent way."

Tasmanian devils are currently facing extinction, with only 10 percent left in the wild, and 90 percent "have vanished due to the deadly Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD)," according to the Australian Reptile Park. The park is collaborating with Devil Ark, a program to increase devil breeding, to "double in size to breed more cancer free devils, guaranteeing their survival."