Linux has a new mascot... at least temporarily.

"With a commit introduced on Tuesday evening into the main development tree, Linus Torvalds granted the Linux mascot a three-month sabbatical," The H Open Source reports. "Tuz, an image of a Tasmanian devil wearing a false yellow nose as a reminder of the Linux penguin, will replace Tux in Linux version 2.6.29."

"Tuz was the mascot for January's Linux conference in Australia, which was held in Tasmania and where the show's annual charity auction was dedicated to raising funds to research devil facial tumor disease (DFTD)," writes Network World's John Fontana. "DFTD over the past decade has wiped out up to 50% of devils, known for their offensive odor when under stress and their loud and disturbing screech."

"During the three months of this kernel cycle - and after it as well - the Linux community is encouraged to learn a little about this endangered species, help raise awareness about the threat to the Tasmanian Devil, and - where possible - contribute to the cause, so those who come after us will have the opportunity to see the Tasmanian Devil somewhere other than the extinct section of their science books," writes Linux Journal's Justin Ryan.

More here from Tectonic ... and more here from OStatic.