Description: The Common Ringtail Possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus is the smallest of the 8 species of Ringtail Possum in Australia. Ringtails have grey fur on their back and greyish white fur on their undersides. In common with most possums they have prominent naked pink noses with long black whiskers. Their ears, however are short and less pointed than those of Brushtails. They have a few calls including a bird like high pitched twittering call. An adult male Ringtail Possum as found in Bushy Park Wetlands might weigh 0.7-1kg, with a head & body length of 30-34cm and a white tipped slender tail 31-35cm long. Ringtails are also smaller and more social than Brushtails and several individuals may share overlapping home ranges and even nests.
Habitat: Woodlands and forest from sea level to 1000 metres above, along the eastern seaboard from Cape York to Tasmania and in a small pocket in the south west of Western Australia. The Common Ringtail prefers conditions ranging from cool temperate to tropical and thus are not found in drier areas. |
Climbing: Ringtails are good tree climbers and rarely come down to ground level. On their front feet the first two clawed toes point inwards and the next three clawed toes are directed opposite, allowing a pincer grip on twiggy foliage. On their rear feet the first toe is clawless and functions as a thumb. The second & third toes are joined with a pair of claws sometimes used for grooming. The fourth & fifth toes are also clawed but separate. Their grasp on branches is further improved by having rough pads on their feet and a prehensile tail used like a fifth limb. Food: Ringtail Possums feed mainly in the first half of the night and again just before dawn on young leaves, shoots, flowers, nectar and fruits. In urban area they fancy rosebuds and fruit from the garden. Possums have large eyes as an adaptation to nocturnal vision. Nests: Ringtails sleep in a tree-hole by day, in a nest lined with twigs & leaves collected and carried by their tails. Where such cavities are not available, they construct a spherical drey as big as a football of shredded bark and leaves in a tree branch. Breeding: Ringtails reach sexual maturity after 12 months and generally breed once a year. Normally from May to July two joeys are born and they make their way to the forward opening pouch which contains 4 teats. After 4 months they leave the pouch, but the young continue to suckle for another 2 months and ride on their mother's back or are cared for in the nest or drey. As many are killed by cats, dogs, owls, eagles, foxes, humans and bushfires, few live to old age of 6 years. |
