Possum

Pic by R. and D. Keller

The Leadbeaters possum is very rare. They even thought it was extinct!

It is only found in a very small area of Mountain Ash forest in the Great Dividing Range.

The Leadbeaters possum is about 300mm (12 inches) long including its tail and weights about 140g. It is a quiet, shy fast moving marsupial which runs along branches in the forest canopy.

It eats insects, manna, honey dew and tree sap.

Up to eight animals share a nest they build out of shredded bark in the hollows of trees.

You can find out more here:
Leadbeater's Possum Home Page

Pic by G.C. Suckling

The Sugar Glider is a small arboreal marsupial mammal.

It is silver grey in colour, its body is about 200mm long and its tail is about as long as its body. It has a very thin skin, called a membrane, attached from each wrist to ankle (like a flying squirrel). It spreads this membrane out and uses it like a paraglider. It can glide up to 50 meters (165ft) from tree to tree.

The Sugar Glider makes its nest out of leaves in a tree hollow. Between six to twelve gliders may share this nest.

It feeds on insects, nectar from flowers and tree sap which it gets by biting the smaller branches of gum trees.

They are very playful but will fiercely attack any intruder.

Pic by A.G and B.A. Wells

This possum is quiet common. It has a prehensile tail which means it can use its tail for holding things. When not using its tail this possum holds it in a tight coil that is why its called a Ringtail.

The Ringtail Possum usually lives in tree hollows which it lines with shredded bark or grass. It sometimes creeps into the ceilings of houses and can become a real nuisance.

It feeds on leaves, flowers (it loves rose buds), and fruits.

Pic by R.Whitford

The Feathertail glider is the smallest gliding possum. Its body is 70cm long and its tail is as long as its body. It weighs only 12 grams.

It is called the Feathertail because it has a tail that looks like a bird's feather. It uses its tail to balance and steer when gliding from tree to tree.

It has a very thin skin, called a membrane, attached from each elbow to knee. It spreads this membrane out and uses it like a paraglider to glide up to 20 meters (66ft).

It lives mostly on the tops of eucalypt forests and eats nectar, manna and small insects.

Pic by C.B. Baker

This possum is very common.

Even though it is a arboreal animal it walks a lot on the ground too. Maybe that is why they get run over by cars in the night.

The underside of its tail has no hair on it. Its tail is called a prehensile tail because it can be used to grip branches with. It eats leaves, fruits, buds and bark.

The Bushtail Possum usually lives in tree hollows. It sometimes creeps into the ceiling of houses and can become a real nuisance.

It doesn't seem to mind living near people.

It feeds largely on nectar and pollen which it gathers with a brush-tipped tongue as well as fruit and insects.

It is not very fast but is a very good climber using its prehensile tail to help.

It nests in small tree holes, which it lines with shredded bark. It also nests in old birds nests.

Copyright © Senani Ponnamperuma, 1996-2010