? Possums
Common Brushtil Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Subclass: Marsupialia Order: Diprotodontia Suborder: Phalangeriformes Szalay in Archer, 1982
Superfamilies and Families
Phalangeroidea Burramyidae Phalangeridae Petauroida Pseudocheiridae Petauridae Tarsipedidae Acrobatidae

A possum is any of about 63 small to medium-sized arboreal marsupials native to Australia. The name derives from their resemblance to the opossums of the Americas and, unlike most names applied to Australian fauna in the early years of European colonisation, happens to be accurate: the opossums of America are distant relatives. (The name is from Algonquian wapathemwa, not Greek or Latin, so the plural is possums, not possa.) Possum is also used in North America as a diminutive for the Virginia opossum. Image File history File linksMetadata Brushtail_possum. ... Scientific classification or biological classification is how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms. ... Phyla Porifera (sponges) Ctenophora (comb jellies) Cnidaria (coral, jellyfish, anemones) Placozoa (trichoplax) Subregnum Bilateria (bilateral symmetry) Acoelomorpha (basal) Orthonectida (parasitic to flatworms, echinoderms, etc. ... Typical Classes Subphylum Urochordata - Tunicatas Ascidiacea Thaliacea Larvacea Subphylum Cephalochordata - Lancelets Subphylum Myxini - Hagfishes Subphylum Vertebrata - Vertebrates Petromyzontida - Lampreys Placodermi (extinct) Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes Acanthodii (extinct) Actinopterygii - Ray-finned fishes Actinistia - Coelacanths Dipnoi - Lungfishes Amphibia - Amphibians Reptilia - Reptiles Aves - Birds Mammalia - Mammals Chordates (phylum Chordata) include the vertebrates, together with... Orders Subclass Monotremata Monotremata Subclass Marsupialia Didelphimorphia Paucituberculata Microbiotheria Dasyuromorphia Peramelemorphia Notoryctemorphia Diprotodontia Subclass Placentalia Xenarthra Dermoptera Desmostylia Scandentia Primates Rodentia Lagomorpha Insectivora Chiroptera Pholidota Carnivora Perissodactyla Artiodactyla Cetacea Afrosoricida Macroscelidea Tubulidentata Hyracoidea Proboscidea Sirenia The mammals are the class of vertebrate animals primarily characterized by the presence of mammary... Orders Superorder Ameridelphia Didelphimorphia Paucituberculata Superorder Australidelphia Microbiotheria Dasyuromorphia Peramelemorphia Notoryctemorphia Diprotodontia Marsupials are mammals in which the female typically has a pouch (called the marsupium, from which the name Marsupial derives) in which it rears its young through early infancy. ... Suborders Vombatiformes Phalangeriformes Macropodiformes Diprotodontia is a large taxon of about 120 marsupial mammals including the kangaroos, wallabies, possums, Koala, wombats, and many others. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... In biology, a superfamily is a taxonomic grade intermediate between suborder and family. ... Scientific classification or biological classification refers to how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms. ... A possum is any of about 25 small to medium-sized arboreal marsupials native to Australia. ... A possum is any of about 25 small to medium-sized arboreal marsupials native to Australia. ... Subfamilies See text. ... Binomial name Tarsipes rostratus Gervais & Verreaux, 1842 The Honey Possum (Tarsipes rostratus) or Noolbenger is a tiny Australian marsupial weighing just 5 to 10 grams—about half the size of a mouse. ... Genera Acrobates Distoechurus Acrobatidae is a small family of marsupials contains two genera, each with a single species, the Feathertail Glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) from Australia and Feathertail Possum (Distoechurus pennatus) from New Guinea. ... This article is about the biological organisms known as trees. ... Orders Superorder Ameridelphia Didelphimorphia Paucituberculata Superorder Australidelphia Microbiotheria Dasyuromorphia Peramelemorphia Notoryctemorphia Diprotodontia Marsupials are mammals in which the female typically has a pouch (called the marsupium, from which the name Marsupial derives) in which it rears its young through early infancy. ... This article or section should be merged with Virginia_opossum The word opossum (usually pronounced without the leading O, or with only a very slight schwa) refers either to the Virginia Opossum in particular, or more generally to any of the other marsupials of magnorder Ameridelphia. ... The Americas (sometimes referred to as America) is the area including the land mass located between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, generally divided into North America and South America. ... The history of Australia began when humans first migrated to the Australian continent from the north, at least 40-45,000 years before present. ... This article or section should be merged with Virginia_opossum The word opossum (usually pronounced without the leading O, or with only a very slight schwa) refers either to the Virginia Opossum in particular, or more generally to any of the other marsupials of magnorder Ameridelphia. ... The Algonquian (also Algonkian) languages are a subfamily of Native American languages that includes most of the languages in the Algic language family (others are Wiyot and Yurok of northwestern California). ... Latin is an ancient Indo-European language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ...

Possums are small marsupials with brown or grey fur, ranging in size from the length of a finger (pygmy possums and sugar gliders), to the length of a forearm (brushtails and ringtails). All possums are nocturnal and omnivorous, hiding in a nest in a hollow tree during the day and coming out during the night to forage for food. They fill much the same role in the Australian ecosystem that squirrels fill in the northern hemisphere and are broadly similar in appearance. Binomial name Petaurus breviceps Waterhouse, 1839 The Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps), sometimes called the Flying Sugar, is a small gliding possum native to eastern and northern mainland Australia, New Guinea, and the Bismarck Archipelago, and introduced to Tasmania. ... A nocturnal animal is one that sleeps during the day and is active at night - the opposite of the human (diurnal) schedule. ... Omnivores are organisms that consume both plants and animals. ... Genera Many, see the article Sciuridae. ...

The two most common species of possums, the Common Brushtail and Common Ringtail, are also among the largest. Binomial name Trichosurus vulpecula (Kerr, 1792) The Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is the largest possum, and the Australian marsupial most often seen by city-dwellers, since it is one the very few that thrives in cities as well as a wide range of natural and human-modified environments. ... Its cool ...

Predators

Native predators

Brushtail possums are eaten by many species of carnivores including the Carpet Python, Powerful Owl, Wedge-tailed Eagle and dingoes. Binomial name Aquila audax (Latham, 1802) The Wedge-tailed Eagle or Arrawa (Aquila audax) is a very large Australasian raptor and the most common of all the worlds large eagles. ...

Introduced predators

The feral cat, wild dog, dingo and introduced fox may also prey on possums in the wild. Rescued feral kittens Most feral kittens have little chance of surving more than a few months and are vulnerable to starvation, predators, disease and even flea-induced anemia. ... A wild dog can refer to: Pariah dogs, which are feral domesticated dogs Some species of canines that might or might not be closely related to the domestic dog but that somewhat resemble them and are usually called dogs rather than, for example, wolves or other designations. ... Trinomial name Canis lupus dingo (Meyer, 1793) Breed standards (external link) ANKC The Dingo (Canis lupus dingo) is a type of wild dog, probably descended from the Indian Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes). ... A Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) A fox is a member of any of 27 species of small omnivorous canids. ...

Interaction with humans

The animal has been a part of Australian culture and folklore since the original indigenous inhabitants of the country. Indigenous Australians once used possum hides whilst playing the traditional game of Marn Grook. In modern times, the phrase "Hello possums!" made famous by satirist Barry Humphries' character Dame Edna Everage has become a celebrated catchphrase. The Indigenous Australians are the first inhabitants of the Australian continent and its nearby islands, continuing their presence during European settlement. ... Marn Grook is the name of an Australian Aborginal ball game which is thought by some to be the basis on which the modern game of Australian Rules Football is based. ... Broadway Poster of Dame Edna Everage John Barry Humphries AO (b. ... Broadway Poster of Dame Edna Dame Edna Everage is a character played by Barry Humphries. ...

This possum is not worried about the bright light nor the camera flash -- he is in a tree.

Possums are commonly found in suburban areas, where they are often considered pests owing to their habit of eating fruit, vegetables, flowers and tender young shoots from gardens, and nesting in roofs. The loud hissing, crackling territorial call of the male Common Brushtail may also be a problem for suburban residents. Natural deterrents which play upon the possum's acute sense of smell are often employed to discourage them. These include cloves of garlic, camphor or naphthalene. As a native species possums are protected by regulations, even when they reside in urban neighbourhoods, and cannot be baited. They cannot be killed as pests, and if captured the regulations stipulate that they must be released within a small radius of that locality, since they are territorial creatures. Preventative measures such as blocking off their access to the roof spaces or building a possum nesting box for an alternative home are instead recommended. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (3038x2012, 1070 KB) Опис файлу A possum hiding in a tree feels invincible and is not worried about neither the light nor noise. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (3038x2012, 1070 KB) Опис файлу A possum hiding in a tree feels invincible and is not worried about neither the light nor noise. ...

When threatened, a possum will climb the nearest tree, where he feels invincible.

Although the Common Brushtail and (to a lesser extent) ringtail possums have adapted well to the urban environment, many of the lesser-known species are reduced in number, threatened, or endangered. The American bison there are as few as 750 in 1890 due to extreme overhunting. ...

These can be commonly seen inside of caravan parks where it is custom to feed them. If you do not feed them they will slowly tear your face apart whilst you sleep.

Introduction into New Zealand

The Common Brushtail and Common Ringtail possums were introduced to New Zealand by Europeans in an (unsuccessful) attempt to establish a fur industry. A dogs fur usually consists of longer, stiffer, guard hairs—which can be straight, wiry, or wavy, and of various lengths, hiding a soft, short-haired undercoat. ...

They soon escaped into the wild where they have thrived; the Brushtail in particular has become established as an invasive species with great numbers: around 60 million individuals estimated. There are few native predators of the possum in New Zealand. There have been numerous attempts to eradicate them because of the damage they do to native trees and wildlife, as well as acting as a carrier of bovine tuberculosis. For New Zealand, the introduction of possums has resulted in almost as much of an ecological disaster as the introduction of rabbits has been in Australia. It has been suggested that Invasive plants be merged into this article or section. ... In their natural environment and in captivity, rabbits are a benign, even useful species. ...

Classification

About two-thirds of Australian marsupials belong to the order Diprotodontia, which is split into three suborders: the Vombatiformes (wombats and the Koala, 4 species in total); the large and diverse Phalangeriformes (the possums and gliders) and Macropodiformes (kangaroos, potoroos, wallabies and the Musky Rat-kangaroo). Scientific classification or biological classification refers to how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms. ... Suborders Vombatiformes Phalangeriformes Macropodiformes Diprotodontia is a large taxon of about 120 marsupial mammals including the kangaroos, wallabies, possums, Koala, wombats, and many others. ... Scientific classification or biological classification refers to how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms. ... Families Phascolarctidae Vombatidae Vombatiformes is one of the two suborders of the large marsupial order Diprotodontia. ... Genera and Species Vombatus É. Geoffroy, 1803 Vombatus ursinus (Shaw, 1800) Lasiorhinus Gray, 1863 Lasiorhinus latifrons (Owen, 1845) Lasiorhinus krefftii Owen, 1873 Wombats are Australian marsupials; they are short-legged, muscular quadrupeds, approximately one metre (3 feet) in length and with a mere nubbin of a tail. ... Binomial name Phascolarctos cinereus (Goldfuss, 1817) The Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is a thickset arboreal marsupial herbivore native to Australia, and the only extant representative of the family, Phascolarctidae. ... Species Macropus rufus Macropus giganteus Macropus fuliginosus A kangaroo is any of several large macropods (the marsupial family that also includes the wallabies, tree kangaroos, wallaroos, pademelons and the quokka: 45 species in all). ... The marsupial family Potoridae includes the bettongs, potoroos and rat-kangaroos. ... Red-necked Wallaby A wallaby (sometimes spelled wallabee) is any of about 30 species of macropod (family macropodidae). ... Binomial name Hypsiprymnodon moschatus Ramsay, 1876 The Musky Rat-kangaroo is a marsupial species found in the rainforests of New Guinea and northeast Australia. ...

• Suborder PHALANGERIFORMES: possums, gliders and allies
  • Superfamily Phalangeroidea
    • Family Burramyidae: pygmy possums
      • Genus Burramys
        • Mountain Pygmy Possum, Burramys parvus
      • Genus Cercartetus
        • Long-tailed Pygmy Possum, Cercartetus caudatus
        • Southwestern Pygmy Possum, Cercartetus concinnus
        • Tasmanian Pygmy Possum, Cercartetus lepidus
        • Eastern Pygmy Possum, Cercartetus nanus
    • Family Phalangeridae: brushtail possums and cuscuses
      • Subfamily Ailuropinae
        • Genus Ailurops
          • Talaud Bear Cuscus, Ailurops melanotis
          • Sulawesi Bear Cuscus, Ailurops ursinus
      • Subfamily Phalangerinae
        • Tribe Phalangerini
          • Genus Phalanger
            • Gebe Cuscus, Phalanger alexandrae
            • Mountain Cuscus, Phalanger carmelitae
            • Ground Cuscus, Phalanger gymnotis
            • Eastern Common Cuscus, Phalanger intercastellanus
            • Woodlark Cuscus, Phalanger lullulae
            • Blue-eyed Cuscus, Phalanger matabiru
            • Telefomin Cuscus, Phalanger matanim
            • Southern Common Cuscus, Phalanger mimicus
            • Northern Common Cuscus, Phalanger orientalis
            • Ornate Cuscus, Phalanger ornatus
            • Rothschil's Cuscus, Phalanger rothsschildi
            • Silky Cuscus, Phalanger sericeus
            • Stein's Cuscus, Phalanger vestitus
          • Genus Spilocuscus
            • Admirality Island Cuscus, Spilocuscus kraemeri
            • Common Spotted Cuscus, Spilocuscus maculatus
            • Waigeou Cuscus, Spilocuscus papuensis
            • Black-spotted Cuscus, Spilocuscus rufoniger
        • Tribe Trichosurini
          • Genus Strigocuscus
            • Sulawesi Dwarf Cuscus, Strigocuscus celebensis
            • Banggai Cuscus, Strigocuscus pelegensis
          • Genus Trichosurus
            • Northern Brushtail Possum, Trichosurus arnhemensis
            • Short-eared Possum, Trichosurus caninus
            • Mountain Brushtail Possum, Trichosurus cunninghami
            • Coppery Brushtail Possum, Trichosurus johnstonii
            • Common Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula
          • Genus Wyulda
            • Scaly-tailed Possum, Wyulda squamicaudata
  • Superfamily Petauroidea
    • Family Pseudocheiridae
      • Subfamily Hemibelideinae
        • Genus Hemibelideus
          • Lemur-like Ringtail Possum, Hemibelideus lemuroides
        • Genus Petauroides
          • Greater Glider, Petauroides volans
      • Subfamily Pseudocheirinae
        • Genus Petropseudes
          • Rock-haunting Ringtail Possum, Petropseudes dahli
        • Genus Pseudocheirus
          • Common Ringtail Possum, Pseudocheirus peregrinus
        • Genus Pseudochirulus
          • Lowland Ringtail Possum, Pseudochirulus canescens
          • Weyland Ringtail Possum, Pseudochirulus caroli
          • Cinereus Ringtail Possum, Pseudochirulus canescens
          • Painted Ringtail Possum, Pseudochirulus forbesi
          • Herbert River Ringtail Possum, Pseudochirulus herbertensis
          • Masked Ringtail Possum, Pseudochirulus larvatus
          • Pygmy Ringtail Possum, Pseudochirulus mayeri
          • Vogelkop Ringtail Possum, Pseudochirulus schlegeli
      • Subfamily Pseudochiropinae
        • Genus Pseudocheirus
          • D'Albertis' Ringtail Possum, Pseudocheirus albertisii
          • Green Ringtail Possum, Pseudocheirus archeri
          • Plush-coated Ringtail Possum, Pseudocheirus corinnae
          • Reclusive Ringtail Possum, Pseudocheirus coronatus
          • Coppery Ringtail Possum, Pseudocheirus cupreus
    • Family Petauridae
      • Genus Dactylopsila
        • Great-tailed Triok, Dactylopsila megalura
        • Long-fingered Triok, Dactylopsila palpator
        • Tate's Triok, Dactylopsila tatei
        • Striped Possum, Dactylopsila trivirgata
      • Genus Gymnobelideus
        • Leadbeater's Possum, Gymnobelideus leadbeateri
      • Genus Petaurus
        • Northern Glider, Petaurus abidi
        • Yellow-bellied Glider, Petaurus australis
        • Biak Glider, Petaurus biacensis
        • Sugar Glider, Petaurus breviceps
        • Ebony Glider, Petaurus gracilis
        • Squirrel Glider, Petaurus norfolcensis
    • Family Tarsipedidae
      • Genus Tarsipes
        • Honey Possum or Noolbenger, Tarsipes rostratus
    • Family Acrobatidae
      • Genus Acrobates
        • Feather-tailed Glider Acrobates pygmaeus
      • Genus Distoechurus
        • Feather-tailed Possum Distoechurus pennatus

A possum is any of about 25 small to medium-sized arboreal marsupials native to Australia. ... Binomial name Burramys parvus Broom, 1896 The Mountain Pygmy Possum (Burramys parvus) is a small, mouse-sized (weighs 45 g) nocturnal marsupial of Australia found in dense alpine rock screes and boulder fields, mainly southern Victoria and Tasmania but also around Mount Kosciusko in New South Wales. ... Binomial name Burramys parvus Broom, 1896 The Mountain Pygmy Possum (Burramys parvus) is a small, mouse-sized (weighs 45g) nocturnal marsupial of Australia found in dense alpine rock screes and boulder fields, mainly southern Victoria and Tasmania but also around Mount Kosciusko in New South Wales. ... Binomial name Phalanger intercastellanus Thomas, 1895 The Southern Common Cuscus (Phalanger intercastellanus) is also known as Grey Cuscus, Grey Phalanger, and To-ili. ... Binomial name Spilocuscus maculatus (Desmarest, 1818) The common spotted cuscus (also known as phalanger) is a marsupial animal that lives in the Cape York Peninsula region of Australia and New Guinea. ... Binomial name Trichosurus vulpecula (Kerr, 1792) The Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is the largest possum, and the Australian marsupial most often seen by city-dwellers, since it is one the very few that thrives in cities as well as a wide range of natural and human-modified environments. ... A possum is any of about 25 small to medium-sized arboreal marsupials native to Australia. ... Its cool ... Subfamilies See text. ... Binomial name Gymnobelideus leadbeateri McCoy, 1867 Leadbeaters Possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) is an endangered possum restricted to small pockets of remaining old growth Mountain Ash forests in the cool, misty highlands of Victoria, Australia. ... Binomial name Gymnobelideus leadbeateri McCoy, 1867 Leadbeaters Possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) is an endangered possum restricted to small pockets of remaining old growth Mountain Ash forests in the cool, misty highlands of Victoria, Australia. ... Species See text. ... Binomial name Petaurus breviceps Waterhouse, 1839 The Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps), sometimes called the Flying Sugar, is a small gliding possum native to eastern and northern mainland Australia, New Guinea, and the Bismarck Archipelago, and introduced to Tasmania. ... Binomial name Petaurus norfolcensis (Kerr, 1792) The Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) is a gliding possum of the Marsupial family Petauridae. ... Binomial name Tarsipes rostratus Gervais & Verreaux, 1842 The Honey Possum (Tarsipes rostratus) or Noolbenger is a tiny Australian marsupial weighing just 5 to 10 grams—about half the size of a mouse. ... Binomial name Tarsipes rostratus Gervais & Verreaux, 1842 The Honey Possum (Tarsipes rostratus) or Noolbenger is a tiny Australian marsupial weighing just five to 10 grams—about half the size of a mouse. ... Genera Acrobates Distoechurus Acrobatidae is a small family of marsupials contains two genera, each with a single species, the Feathertail Glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) from Australia and Feathertail Possum (Distoechurus pennatus) from New Guinea. ... Binomial name Acrobates pygmaeus (Shaw, 1793) The Feathertail Glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) is the worlds smallest gliding mammal. ... Binomial name Acrobates pygmaeus (Shaw, 1793) The Feather-tailed Glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) is the worlds smallest gliding mammal, and is named for its long feather-shaped tail. ...

See also

• Shrew Opossum
• Virginia Opossum
• Opossum
• Marsupial
• Playing possum