Trichosurus vulpecula
| Literature database |
|---|
| 99 articles sorted by: |
| • year (recent ones first) |
| • research topics |
| • countries/regions |
| • host plants |
Author(s): Bryce McQuillan
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Trichosurus vulpecula (Kerr 1792) (brushtail possum)
This possum species has become a serious pest of forest trees and agricultural crops in New Zealand, where it has been introduced from Australia more than 150 years ago in order to establish a fur trade. It is about the size of a cat, lives mainly on trees and is nocturnal. It prefers eucalypt leaves but feeds on various plants, including flowers, shoots and fruits. It may also eat insects. In addition, it preys on native birds and transmits bovine tuberculosis to livestock.
The possums live for up to 13 years. The female gives birth to a single young once or twice a year which develops over 4-5 months in the female's pouch. Poisoned baits are used for control, distributed either from the air or on the ground.
| Vernacular names | |
|---|---|
| • Deutsch: | Fuchskusu |
| • English: | brushtail possum Australian brushtail possum |
| • Español: | pósum de cola de cepillo |
| • Français: | phalanger-renard opossum d'Australie |
The adult has a length of 30-50 cm, without the tail. The tail ranges from 20-40 cm in length and is used for grasping branches. The fur is greyish to brownish and there are some black patches around the nose. The ventral side has a cream colour. The breast has a scent gland which secretes a red fluid.
For details see the respective page in Wikipedia.
- Other images of Trichosurus vulpecula (Wikimedia Commons - click to enlarge)
with pouch
spread in New Zealand
