Ringtail Possum
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Pseudocheirus peregrinus or the Ringtail Possum
Many Australian tree dwellers rely on natural hollows in trees for shelter. These are sturdy and snug, but they are also in short supply. This is why some animals have decided to build their own shelter. The ringtail possum builds a nest (called a 'drey') using sticks and leaves. The ringtail possum sleeps in this drey during the day, and comes out at night forage for leaves, flowers and fruit. Female ringtails tend to have twins, which they will look after until the young are about six months old. Ringtail Possum families will often live together in their drey, and the pair bond (the mum and dad) can last for several years.
The tail with its distinctive white tip gives the Ringtail Possum their common name. This prehensile tail is very useful to the animal, acting as a fifth limb while the possum is clambering over small branches, and allowing the animal to carry nesting material back to its drey. Ringtails are known to many gardeners on the east coast of Australia as a cunning thief of rose flowers! The Ringtail Possum is quite happy to share space with humans, but the same can't always be said for the people. While not nearly as noisy as the brushtail possum, ringtails can often be heard making a soft, high-pitched call.
Did you know...
- Tree hollows are in short supply in the wild, so some animals (like the ringtail possums on display) will build their own shelter called a drey. They sleep during the day, and come out at night forage for leaves, flowers and fruit.
- The prehensile tail is very useful to the animal, acting as a fifth limb while the possum is clambering over small branches, and allowing the animal to carry nesting material back to its drey.
- Female ringtails tend to have twins, which they will look after until the young are about six months old. Ringtail families will often live together in their drey, and the pair bond (the mum and dad) can last for several years.
Where Ringtail Possums can be found in Australia:
