Possum Australian Possum
Possums are marsupial mammals that live in trees, come out at night and carry their young in a pouch in their abdomen. The largest is the cuscus weighing 7-10kg (15–22lbs). The pygmy possum is the smallest at just 10-45g (.4-1.5oz).
There is much confusion, especially in the USA, between the terms possum and opossum. In its correct usage, ‘possum’ refers to a group of animals found in Australia and New Guinea. Opossums refer to those that live in the Americas. Australian possums and American opossums are both marsupials, but they are very different.
Possum Description More About Australian Possums
Photo: sugar glider possum in hand
Australian possums range in size from the tiny pygmy possum, which is only 70mm (2.8in) in length and weighs 10g (0.35oz) to the brushtail possum, which can reach more than a meter (3.3ft) length and weighs 10kgs (22lb). Depending on the species, they have soft fur which is silver-grey through dark orange to dark brown in colour. They all have excellent night-vision, hearing and a sense of smell. Possums have a lifespan of 5-8 years.
Being arboreal animals, they are very nimble with sharp claws. that them the make them capable of climbing up vertical surfaces and clambering along flimsy tree branches and even electric power lines. Some, such as the ringtail possum, have a prehensile tail where the tail can be used to hold on to branches.
Possums are shy, solitary, territorial animals. They mark off their home patch by urinating and rubbing oil produced by special scent glands on their chests, chin, and anus in strategic locations throughout their territories. They are generally not aggressive, preferring to stare down their opponent silently rather than get involved in serious altercations. However, they can be violent if provoked, clawing and biting their attacker.
What is a Group of Possum Called? What is the Plural of Possum?
While a group of possums is often called a "passel" of possums, passel merely means a large number or group of things. It is not restricted to possums alone, as is the case of the term "gaggle", which refers only to geese. Since possums are solitary animals, a formal name to define a group of possums never eventuated. The plural of possum is possums.
A male possum is called a jack
A female possum is called a jill
A baby possum is called a joey
Possum Habitat Where Do Possums Live?
Photo: Possum sheltering in tree hollow
Possum's Natural Habitat
Possums are arboreal animals that live in forests and wooded throughout the eastern and south-eastern parts of Australia, ranging from the rainforests of Queensland (Cuscus) to the eucalyptus forests of Victoria (Leadbeater's Possum).
Photo: Eucalyptus forest
Possums prefer the dense foliage of trees and rarely come down to the ground. They build their nests high above ground. These nests are built in tree hollows and dense foliage and lined with shredded bark, twigs, and leaves. Some of the smaller species of possums such as the sugar glider may share a nest with up to eight others.
Possums also live in Papua New Guinea and Sulawesi. In recent times, they have also been introduced to New Zealand and China by humans.
Possum's Urban Habitat
Photo: Possums in ceiling
With urban sprawl and the destruction of the possums' natural habitat, many possums have been making themselves at home in suburban areas. Urban possums are especially fond of the warm cosy buildings humans construct. Some are known to pull off roof tiles and squeeze through openings in roofs and build themselves nests in ceilings of houses, garages, sheds, and even chimneys. These urban possums can be a huge nuisance to homeowners. Bushy tail and ringtail possums, in particular, have come to like the comforts of urban living.
Urban possums can be an absolute nuisance. They can be noisy by clambering over roofs at night, destructive by urinating and defecating in ceilings and other areas around buildings giving the whole area a terrible stench, tearing up heating ducts and insulation, raiding chick copes and garbage bins and cropping through peoples gardens.
Possum Diet What Do Possums Eat?
Photo: Possum eating
Possum's Natural Diet
Possums are omnivores. They eat almost anything edible—dead or alive. In their natural environments, possums eat leaves, flowers, fruits, grass and fungi. They also eat lizards, insects, bird eggs and baby birds.
Possum's Urban Diet
Unfortunately, these crafty possums are greatly attracted to suburban garbage bins and gardens. In domestic gardens, they will eat almost anything from flowers such as roses, camellias, magnolias; to fruits and vegetables such as mangoes, apples, pears, grapes, melons, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots; and shrubs and small trees such as wisteria and wattle.
There is even a story of two cunning possums who devised an ingenious scheme to get their little paws on some delicious vegetables in a protected urban veggie patch. One possum hung on to an overhanging branch with its back legs, grabbed onto its accomplice's rear legs with its front paws and lowered its partner down to snatch the vegetables.
List of Possums
Feathertail Glider
The feathertail glider is the smallest gliding possum. It is called the Feathertail because its tail looks like a feather. It uses its tail to balance and steer while gliding. It has very thin skin attached from each elbow to the knee. It spreads this membrane out to glide. It lives mainly on the tops of eucalyptus forests and eats nectar, manna, and small insects.
Pygmy Possum
The pygmy possum feeds mainly on nectar and pollen, which it gathers with a brush-tipped tongue and fruit and insects. It is not very fast but is an excellent 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.
All Rights Reserved. (Last Updated: Apr 20, 2023)