The western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) is a unique marsupial native to southwestern Australia. This remarkable creature is distinguished by its prehensile tail, which it uses for climbing and grasping branches in its arboreal habitat. As a nocturnal animal, it spends its days resting and becomes active under the cover of darkness, navigating the tree canopies with agility.
Unique Characteristics and Natural Habitat
The western ringtail possum has thick, woolly fur, typically gray on its back and white on its belly, with some individuals displaying creamy white or occasionally gray underparts. It measures approximately 40 centimeters long and weighs around one kilogram. A long, slender tail, similar in length to its body and tipped with white, helps it maintain balance and grip branches. Unlike the common brushtail possum, the western ringtail has small, round ears and rarely descends to the ground.
This species is endemic to southwestern Western Australia, primarily found in three distinct areas: the Swan Coastal Plain, the Southern Forests near Manjimup, and the South Coast between Walpole and Cheynes Beach. Their preferred environments include peppermint woodlands, tuart and jarrah forests, coastal shrublands, and even urban gardens. As an arboreal species, these possums spend most of their lives in trees, where their sharp claws are well-suited for navigating the canopy.
Daily Life and Eating Habits
Western ringtail possums are nocturnal, active at night and resting during the day. They typically spend daylight hours sleeping in stick nests called dreys, constructed from shredded bark, twigs, and leaves within tree canopies, or in natural tree hollows. In urban settings, they may also seek shelter in roof spaces or other dark cavities of buildings. While primarily arboreal, they will traverse through undergrowth or open ground if tree canopies are disconnected, though this is less common.
These possums are herbivores, with their diet consisting of leaves, shoots, flowers, and fruits from various plants. A significant portion of their diet, especially in coastal areas, comes from the leaves of the Western Australian peppermint tree (Agonis flexuosa). Other favored food sources include marri (Corymbia calophylla), jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata), swamp peppermint, eucalypts, teatrees, and wattles like Acacia saligna. In urban environments, they are known to consume garden plants, including roses and fruit tree leaves and fruits.
Facing Extinction
The western ringtail possum is listed as Critically Endangered under Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The species has disappeared from approximately 80% of its historical range.
Major threats include habitat loss and fragmentation, primarily due to urban development, agriculture, and mining, particularly in coastal areas. Introduced predators such as red foxes and feral cats pose a significant danger, as do domestic pets like dogs. Climate change impacts, including heat stress, altered food availability due to drier and warmer conditions, and changes to fire regimes, also contribute to their decline. Vehicle collisions are another substantial threat, especially as possums may cross roads at night. Competition for tree hollows with common brushtail possums, feral European honeybees, and parrots also impacts their populations.
Protecting the Species
Conservation efforts are underway to protect the western ringtail possum. Habitat protection and restoration involve revegetation with local species, including peppermint, marri, and understory plants, and creating wildlife corridors to connect fragmented habitats. Statutory and local government planning approvals often include conditions to mitigate development impacts on the possum and its habitat.
Predator control programs target introduced foxes and feral cats to reduce their impact. Community involvement is encouraged through backyard habitat programs, promoting possum-friendly gardens and installing possum boxes. Citizen science programs, such as the Annual Ringtail Tally, engage residents in reporting possum sightings.
Research and monitoring efforts, including population surveys and genetic studies, help inform management decisions. Rehabilitation programs, like the “First Aid for Possums” course, train wildlife rehabilitators to care for injured possums. Public awareness campaigns, such as “Pets Away Possums Play,” educate pet owners about keeping their animals indoors at night.