What you need to know about possums?
Possums have adapted well to our Sydney urban environment even with the loss
of their native habitat. There are two main species, the Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus
vulpecula) with a black bushy tail and the Common Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus
peregrinus), smaller with a long thin white tail.
Both can be pests of homes and gardens but it is the Brushtail Possum that
causes more damage inside roof voids, defecating and urinating and creating a
general noise nuisance.
Brushtail Possum Characteristics:
- Solitary animals with individual territories, defended vocally and by
use of scent glands
- Naturally live in tree hollows
Ringtail Possum Characteristics:
- A defined home range with several nests from twigs and leaves often in dense shrubbery
- May share these nests with other members of their family group
Recent research from NSW Department of Environment & Climate Change has
discovered that possums trapped and relocated have a very high incidence of
mortality.
This results from:
- Unable to find shelter falling victim to predation by cats, dogs, foxes
- Killed by vehicles when trying to find a new territory or return to their original territory
- Dying due to stress related trauma.
Click here to learn more about Possums.