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Bushtail possum
trichosurus vulpecula
-35.5328, 150.382
Field Notes
Description:
A marsupial. The common brushtail possum has large and pointed ears. It has a bushy tail (hence its name) with a prehensile tip and a hairless patch on the underside with helps it grasp tree branches] It’s forefeet have sharp claws and the hindfeet each have an opposable, clawless toe which have good grips. The second and third toes are fused with a long, split claw that is used for grooming. The brushtail possum has thick and wooly fur that ranges in color depending on the subspecies. Color patterns tend to be silver-gray, brown, black, red or cream. They tend to have lighter underbellies and brown or black tails. It also has and dark patches on its muzzle. The common brushtail possum has a head and body length of 32-58 cm[5] with a tail length of 24-40 cm.[6] It weighs 1.2-4.5 kg.[6] Males are generally larger than females. In addition, the coat of the male tends to blend into reddish at the shoulders. As with all marsupials, the female brushtail possum has a forward-opening pouch that is well developed. The brushtail possum has a scent gland located on the chest is used to mark territories. The reddish secretions from this gland give the fur around it a brown or reddish appearance.
Habitat:
The common brushtail possum is perhaps most widespread mammal of Australia. It is found throughout the eastern and northern parts of the continent as well as some western regions,
Notes:
When we were staying in a cottage at Bundle Hill Australia,this little creature came on the deck every night peering into the living area through the patio doors.I'm quite certain if we had opened the door he would have lumbered in and taken a seat on the sofa.however we preferred his company outdoors but left him pieces of apples for his midnight snack.
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