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Brushtail Possum

Trichosurus vulpecula

Photo by Steve A
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

The Common Brushtail Possum is a nocturnal, semi-arboreal marsupial of the family Phalangeridae, it is native to Australia, and the largest of the possums.

It is mainly a folivore (leaf-eater), but has been known to eat small mammals such as rats. In most Australian habitats, leaves of Eucalyptus are a significant part of the diet but rarely the sole item eaten. The tail is prehensile and naked on its lower underside.

Habitat:

It is often seen by city-dwellers, as well as a wide range of natural and human-modified environments. In the wild, they live in tree-hollows, often having several different homes within their territory.

Notes:

These two were orphaned (separately) when their mothers were hit by cars. These possums were quite small when rescued from their mother's pouch. Seen in this picure in their possum nest-box (and clearly not too happy about having a camera in the box)!

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (6)

Thanks Maria. I have been inactive on Project Noah for a while (life getting in the way) and didn't know about that mission. A large proportion of the photos I take are of animals in "rehab". These cuties were both successfully released some time ago. Thanks for the heads-up, Steve A
Are they going to be released into the wild? If so, you could add this to the Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation mission
the picture is perfect ...."okay I surrender, do as you wish...."

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