Ringtail Possum

Pseudocheirus peregrinus
"little-fox-like hairy-tail"

other names

Rufous Ringtail, South-Eastern Ringtail and Banga

DESCRIPTION

Head and body 300-350mm with a tail length of 300-3500mm. Weight: 700g to 1100g. Short ears. White patch behind ears. Small, flattish face. Long tail, as long as body. White tipped tail.

There are four subspecies of the Ringtail Possum; Pseudocheirus peregrinus peregrinus can be found from Cape York in Queensland to Kangaroo Island; Pseudocheirus peregrinus cooki is located in the coastal scrubs of south-eastern mainland; Pseudocheirus peregrinus convolutor is found in Tasmania and the Bass Strait Islands and Pseudocheirus peregrinus pulcher is found in the south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales rainforests. The possum occupies a variety of habitats including rainforests, sclerophyll forest and urban areas. It is a specialised leaf eater, preferring eucalypt leaves. Other native leaves, flowers and fruit are also eaten. They are also particularly fond of roses. By day the possum rests in a drey, which is a nest made of soft material such as bark and grass. Tree hollows are also used. The possum is strictly nocturnal, venturing out of the drey after dusk. The Ringtail Possum is a social animal and family groups tend to nest and forage together. Male / female bonds are usually permanent, although the male may have more than one mate in its territory. Breeding season is from April to November. In Queensland and Victoria most females give birth at the beginning of the season, in the Sydney area births often occur in Spring and in Melbourne, around May / June. The female has four teats in the pouch, however usually only two young are born in a litter. Young leave the pouch at around four months of age and are weaned at around six months of age. A second litter is often produced after the first young have weaned. Juveniles are often carried by the mother as she forages, however males have also been observed caring for young The Ringtail Possum is classified as common, however abundance varies geographically. The Cape York population is considered particularly rare. Habitat destruction and predation from cats and foxes are the main causes for the possum's decline.