Trichosurus vulpecula
silver-gray brushtail possum

Trichosurus vulpecula has the widest distribution of any Australian mammal. It can be found throughout most of Australia and Tasmania. It also thrives in New Zealand, where it was introduced in 1840.

Trichosurus vulpecula usually resides in forested or woodland areas. These habitats vary greatly throughout its range. In Tasmania, Trichosurus vulpecula can be found throughout the rainforests and dry woodlands that cover over 60% of the area. In the Australian northwest, it prefers eucalyptus forests and mangroves. In southern Australia, they also reside in wooded areas, but are sometimes found living a semi-terrestrial life where they den in rock crevasses and termite mounds (Smith et al,(49)1984). In New Zealand, Trichosurus vulpecula can be found in most forested areas.

Body Length: 320-580 mm

Tail Length: 240-350 mm

Trichosurus vulpecula has large eyes and tall rounded ears. Its fur is short but dense, and its tail is typically long and is covered in long bushy fur. In some subspecies, the fur on the tail is the same length as on the rest of the body.

Throughout its range, there is considerable variation in the coat color of Trichosurus vulpecula. Color seems to vary according to habitat, and several subspecies have been identified.

Three of the subspecies are typically grey in color: T.v. vulpecula is found throughout southern Australia; T.v. arnhemensis is found in the northern tropical regions of Australia; and T.v. eburacensis is found in Cape York. T.v. johnsoni is found in eastern Queensland, and is typically red in color. The subspecies T.v. fuliginosus, which is found in Tasmania, has black coat coloration.

In all subspecies, the underside is lighter in color. A scent gland located on the chest is used to mark territories. The reddish secretions from this gland give the fur around it a brown or reddish appearance. Like most marsupials, the females have a small, forward opening pouch that is used in reproduction.

Trichosurus vulpecula is an arboreal, nocturnal animal.

During the day is rests in hollowed out logs or trees, but in more urban areas, it finds shelter wherever it can, including in peoples' attics.

Typically a solitary species, Trichosurus vulpecula populations are so abundant that many individuals' home ranges overlap. They mark their territories using both anal secretions and secretions from the scent gland on their chests. Although they do not live in groups, clear dominance hierarchies have been observed where co-dominants of the same sex purposely avoid one another. There appears to be very little direct aggression among individuals. Trichosurus vulpecula uses deep, guttural vocalizations both to communicate territory location and to attract mates during the breeding season.

Trichosurus vulpecula typically eats leaves, shoots, and flowers. Researchers have noted its great ability to adapt to a number of dietary resources including a large number of highly toxic flowers and leaves. Throughout most of its range, it prefers to feed on Eucalyptus flowers, but will eat from a number of various trees and shrubs. In addition, it eats clovers, grasses, garden fruits and turnips.

Throughout its range, Trichosurus vulpecula is a major agricultural pest. It has caused severe damage to eucalyptus and pine forests, as well as destroying peoples' gardens. In addition, Trichosurus vulpecula is a known carrier of bovine tuberculosis which is highly contagious.

Tasmania exports fur and meat of Trichosurus vulpecula to China and Taiwan every year. In New Zealand a bustling fur industry exports hundreds of thousands of pelts each year.

Although once hunted extensively for their fur in Australia, Trichosurus vulpecula is now protected. In Tasmania, this species is partially protected, but there is an annual hunting season. In addition, landowners in Tasmania can obtain Crop Protection Permits in order to help control the damage done by these agricultural pests. Trichosurus vulpecula has thrived extensively in New Zealand, where it was introduced. There are no restrictions on hunting this species in New Zealand, and even with the thousands of animals that are killed each year, the population does not seem to be declining.