Common Types Of Possums Found In Australia Only

Possums are commonly found species in Australia. Common Types Of Possums Found In Australia Only, amongst 23 species, 2 are called to growl on the rooftops and invade private residences at night. These possums residing in the residential area require Possum Removal Service In Melbourne to keep them away.

They are small soft furry creatures, whose fur is used in numerous ways to make blankets, sofa throws, cushions, and clothing. Moreover, once they infest your property, it really gets hard to get rid of them. And you may require professional possum removal service.

A young Possum is known as "Joey" whereas a male Possum is known as "Jack" and a female Possum is known as "Jill". Have a look at the most common possum species in Australia:

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1. The Common Brushtail Possum

The Greek name of the Brushtail Possum is “Trichosurus Vulpecula”, which means "Furry-tailed Little Fox". The adaptive nature of this Possum to any habitat makes it the 2nd most found species in Australia. The size of this Possum is equal to the domestic cat. It has large and pointed ears. They are usually found in natural habitats such as caves, and tree hollows, but they can also be found on the rooftops of houses. Hence, they are the most found in Northern Australia's Eucalyptus trees. These are Common Types Of Possums Found In Australia Only.

2. The Common Ringtail Possum

The Latin name of the Possum is “Pseudocheirus Peregrinus”. These are known to be Ringtail Possums due to their prehensile tails. The survival period of this possum is up to six years in wildlife. These are found in the entire eastern part of Australia and southwest Australia. These are the most commonly found in Tasmania. Ringtail Possum is a Grey or black furry creature with white patches behind its ears and usually cream colour on its stomach.

These are not aggressive possums they try to hide or freeze when they are taken care of. Their favourite habitat is trees and rarely found on the ground due to the feeding nature of diverse vegetation. Its long tail wraps around the branches of the tree to climb the tree. This is an easy tactic for the mother possum to climb up on the tree while carrying the baby Ringtail Possum on its stomach.

3. Honey Possum

Another name for this possum is Noolbenger. The scientific name of this Possum is Tarsipes Rostratus. It is a brown-grey furry one with three dark stripes at the lower back. The tiny creature intakes 7 ml of nectar a day as they don't feed on honey. The survival of Honey Possum is on nectar and pollen. It is a sweet lover possum. Mouse-like creatures are most fascinated by the Banksia and Eucalyptus flowers. They climb trees without using claws. These are Common Types Of Possums Found In Australia Only!

4. Mountain Brushtail Possum

The other name is Southern Bobuck. The scientific name is Trichosurus Cunningham. These are short-eared Possums generally found in the Great Dividing Range of eastern Australia to South Eastern Queensland. This creature is a combination of grey/black and white fur. Where on the top of it we can see grey/black fur and underneath the white one. They are found in the hollows of trees.

The long tail is a helping hand for the mountain Brushtail Possums to climb the trees and search for food. They usually depend upon lichen, fungi, herbs, fruits, and buds.

5. Northern Brushtail Possum

Another name of Northern Brushtail Possum is Trichosurus arnhemensis. The life span of this Possum is up to 15 years. They are adaptive to rural and urban areas. They can grow up to 55 cm in length which doesn't include their tail. The claws are very sharp therefore they are infectious to human beings.

These are the most Common Types Of Possums Found In Australia forests. The males of the Northern Brushtail Possum are reddish-grey whereas females are silver-grey. These are the most common species found in western and Northern Australia. Their life relies on feeding on a variety of plants, Insects, moths, bird's eggs, snails, chicks, and much more.

6. The Green Tail Possum

The scientific name of this possum is Pseudochirops Archeri. These are the most commonly found species in North Australia i.e. Queensland. Greenish in colour with thick fur. Due to its green fur colour, it got its name as Green Tail Possum. They are adaptive to the leaves of stinging trees which are very poisonous for humans even if they are touched with bare hands. The average length is 13.5m. This possum usually feeds on figs and leaves. One other important feature of this Possum is that they eat their feces. They mostly reproduce in the winter season.

7. Leadbeater's Possum

The scientific name of Leadbeater's Possum is Gymnobelideus Leadbeater. In 1939, after the black Friday fires, it was presumed that these Possums were extinct. The common name is "Fairy Possum."

They live in the tallest trees in the rainforest. The length of this possum reaches a maximum of 33 cms including the tail. Their prehensile tail is a great advantage to the Possums to navigate their pathway when they are in the trees. They are grey to greyish brown on the top and pale on the below section. They have pointed short hairless ears. They are small tree-dwelling, omnivore mammals due to climate change. This species will be highly endangered until 2050. The decrease in the suitable hollows due to bushfires and logging has created the worst survival atmosphere for this creature.

Leadbeater's Possum can give birth twice a year and can have a maximum of 2 offspring per birth. They reside in the dry nest; they stay there during daylight and come out at night. They mainly feed themselves on beetles, crickets, spiders, termites, wattle saps, and much more. You can also read our blog on how to possum proof your roof.

To Conclude

Over time, each species has started losing its entity due to numerous habitat changes. Common Types of Possums found in Australia only are still seen. Therefore, if you notice any of the above-mentioned possum-type nestings on your property, do call a professional possum removalist for its safe relocation.