Where does the common brushtail possum live?
The common brushtail possum lives in Australia. It is the Australian marsupial most often seen by city dwellers, as it is one of few that thrive in cities and a wide range of natural and human-modified environments. Its once vast distribution has been greatly affected by drought, epizootic disease and the intrusion of invasive mammals. It was introduced to New Zealand for its fur, where it is now invasive.
What does the common brushtail possum eat?
It is a nocturnal, semiarboreal marsupial that mainly eats foliage. Eucalyptus leaves are a significant part of the diet in most Australian habitats, but rarely the sole item eaten. It also eats fruit, insects, eggs, nestlings and even small mammals such as rats. Around human habitations, it is an inventive and determined forager with a liking for fruit trees, vegetable gardens and kitchen raids.
Is the common brushtail possum endangered?
No: the IUCN lists it as Least Concern in Australia. In New Zealand, with no predators, it raids nests, damages trees and spreads bovine tuberculosis. It has a prehensile tail, and its coat comes in four colour variations: silver-grey, brown, black and gold.
