Ringtail
Possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)
Identification:
Considerable colour
variation, grey and rufous on back and head, light under. Small
rounded ears, prehensile tail, tapering and with light, cream
fur on the end. Can oppose the first and second toe of its forefoot
for gripping.
Weight:
1,000grams.
Habitat:
Eucalypt forest, rainforest
and heathland where dense foliage
Nest Type:
Drey of twigs, leaves
and shredded bark
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Biology:
Nocturnal,
arboreal. Uses prehensile tail to carry leaves to build spherical
nest (drey). Sexually mature at twelve months. Female has four
teats but usually produces two young, occasionally one or three.
Pouch life is about four months. Weaning occurs at about six to
seven months. At pouch emergence young may be left in the nest,
or carried on the mother’s back. Ringtails produce a soft
faeces during the day, which they eat, and which allows them to
salvage proteins and B vitamins.
Natural Diet:
Basically foliage eaters,
flowers, fruit, buds and seeds.
Predators:
Cats, foxes, owls and
snakes
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