Possums are arboreal (tree-dwelling) mammals that inhabit a wide range of forest types, from dry deciduous to tropical rainforests. Like most Australian mammals they are nocturnal, so possums move about at night and sleep during the day. Possums are also marsupials, that is, the females give birth to extremely immature young that complete their development while attached to the mother's nipples, while carried about in a pouch on their mother's abdomen. Possums have grey, brown, black, tan, or white fur and the colours vary for each species depending on which area of Australia you are in, however the sexes are usually similar. Possums range in length from 12 to 120 cm (5 to 47 in), including the tail. They have handlike hind feet that help them grasp the branches of trees and they usually possess either a semi-prehensile (grasping) or fully-prehensile tail. Possums eat mainly blossoms, fruit, insects, and sap. There are over 35 species of possum in Australia and on nearby islands, but only 3 species live in Bushy Park Wetlands. |
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Brushtail Possum |
Ringtail Possum |
Sugar Glider |
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