Common Brushtail Possum

Trichosurus vulpecula

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Mammalia · Diprotodontia · Phalangeridae

About

The common brushtail possum is a nocturnal, semiarboreal marsupial of the family Phalangeridae, native to Australia and invasive in New Zealand, and the second-largest of the Australasian possums.

Fun Fact

Common brushtail possums were introduced to New Zealand for the fur trade and became a devastating pest — they now number over 30 million and eat an estimated 21,000 tonnes of native vegetation per night.

Quick Facts

Habitat

Forests and urban areas

Diet

Omnivore

Lifespan

11-15 years

Threats

Habitat Fragmentation
Wildfire

External Data Sources

Recent sightings on iNaturalist IUCN Red List profile

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