Common Brushtail Possum

Images ©:

Common Brushtail Possum - Bob Winters | Common Brushtail Possum - The State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries/McCann

Trichosurus vulpecula

Body fur colour varies across Australia. In Victoria mostly silver-grey to grey-brown above and white-cream underneath. Tail prehensile, thick and black. Black markings around the eyes and nose. Body up to 50 cm, tail up to 40 cm.

Details
Type
Mammal
Group
Animals
Marsupial
Biology

Nocturnal. Sleeps in tree hollows or similar protected places, including ceilings of buildings. The most abundant Australian possum, often living with humans. Can live for 11 years in the wild. Starts breeding at 1 year of age, with usually a single young born. The mother needs to take care of the young for at least 7 months.
Distinctive Markings

Thick black tail, ears longer than wide, dark markings around eyes and a pink nose.
Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Diprotodontia
Family
Phalangeridae
Genus
Trichosurus
Species
vulpecula
Widespread over northern, eastern, and south-western Australia and Tasmania, with scattered populations in arid central Australia.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Was introduced to New Zealand and has become a major pest.

Interesting Facts
Diet

Omnivore. Eats a variety of plants, leaves, fruits and flowers but sometimes eats nestling birds.
Habitat

Open dry eucalypt forest, woodlands, suburban areas.
Audio
Audio samples
Sounds
A loud series of nasal coughs and hisses.