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Possum
The common ring tail possum is one of 13 species of possum found in Australia. It is a mammal but belongs to a wide range of animals called marsupials – the mother carries her young in a pouch on the front of her tummy. Other marsupials include wallabies, kangaroos and koalas.
The ring tail possum is a nocturnal herbivore – it sleeps during the day and feasts on leaves, flowers and fruit at night.
It is a small animal weighing between 550gm and 1.1 kg.
It has grey brown fur with a cream coloured tummy.
It has a long prehensile tail with a white tip. Prehensile means it can grasp tree branches with its tail.
The common ring tail possum is an excellent tree climber and tends to live in trees. But it also enjoys living and making its nest in the roofs of houses.
Found in Australia Weight: 550gm – 1kg Eating habits: herbivore
Favourite food: fruit, flowers, leaves
Special features: carries its young in a pouch; nocturnal – sleeps in the daytime and is active at night; can grasp tree branches with its tail; excellent tree climber; lives in trees.
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