'Possums'
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The name 'possum' is a fairly vague and not very scientific
term.
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Other than both being marsupials, the Australian/New Guinea 'Possums' are
not closely related to the Neotropical 'Opossums'.
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And in fact, within
Australia, the term 'Possum' actually covers a few quite different families of
animals.
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Although in various groups, there are a few characteristics that unite
the different Australasian possums, although these are often consequences of
ecology than a reflection of relatedness.
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All possums are quite arboreal, and
many have a strong, usually furry tail with a naked patch of skin underneath
which assists with grip (Egerton 1996).
Script: Courtesy of Damon Ramsey BSc.(Zool) Biologist Guide
'Ringtail Possums' Family Pseudocheiridae
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Ringtails are not quite as wide
ranging in their diet as other possums.
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They may feed on fruits and flowers, but
generally the bulk of their diet is leaves (Egerton 1997).
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This results in
'ringtails' being more sluggish and appearing rather 'dopey', although many are
capable of energetic leaps within the canopy.
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They are also usually quieter than
many other possums; and this is reflected in their smaller ears.
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However, they
are excellent climbers with strongly prehensile tails (Strahan and Cayley 1995).
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They are more of a closed forest possum than the 'gliding possums' and the
occasionally terrestrial 'brushtails'.
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The highest species diversity of this
family on the continent is found in the tropical rainforests.
Script: Courtesy of Damon Ramsey BSc.(Zool) Biologist Guide
'Wrist-winged Gliders' Family
Petauridae
This group of gliders is usually
grey or brown in colour, with a bushy tail and a darkish stripe on the back that
often extends to the forehead (Strahan 1998). They are referred to as the
‘wrist–winged gliders’, as most have a loose flap of skin between the wrist and
ankle on the same side. This appears as a loose fold of skin when climbing, but
when jumping from tree to tree the skin is stretched and acts as a gliding
surface. They have been reported to glide up to 100 meters (Egerton 1997).
Gliders use their sharp lower
incisors to chew into trees and then lick the resulting sap and gum (Egerton
1997). This is especially so in winter (Strahan 1998) when their other foods
such as insects and other invertebrates, are rare. They also nibble and suck on
fruit and flower nectar.
Being nocturnal, their sense of
small is important. In the more sociable species, they use scent trails to
identify other individuals of the same species (Strahan 1998).
Script: Courtesy of Damon Ramsey BSc.(Zool) Biologist Guide
Common Brushtail Possum:
(Trichosurus vulpecula)
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The Brushtail possum is the size of a
large cat with large pointy ears and a black, slightly bushy tail which is
furred
to the tip, although naked underneath at the end.
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It is able to curl its tail,
to some extent, around branches.
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Its body is grey with a creamy coloured belly.
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It is often vocal, chattering and screeching.
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The common brushtail lives in
eucalypt woodland, where it feeds on leaves and fruit.
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It is found right across
the savanna region.
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Its distribution was probably always patchy, possibly
preferring woodlands where tree hollows are more plentiful.
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For example,
suitable shelter sites seem to be scarce in Darwin stringybark trees, which
dominate woodlands right across the savannas.
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Patterns of fire and soil
fertility may also dictate patchy distributions.
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On the other hand, common brushtails are fond of semi-urban areas where they often spend their days in
tree hollows or in house ceilings.
Script: Courtesy of of Environmental Protection Agency
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Sugar Glider