common brush-tailed possum

The common brush-tailed possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is a widespread Australian marsupial known for its thick, woolly, grizzled fur. Phalangers, which include possums in Australia and Tasmania, are tree-dwelling marsupials with prehensile tails and opposable digits for grasping branches. They are primarily herbivorous, feeding on fruits, leaves, and blossoms, though some also consume insects and small vertebrates.12

While some phalanger species face endangerment due to predation, fur trapping, and habitat loss, the common brush-tailed possum is considered a pest in some areas, with efforts made to control its population. Other brush-tailed possum species, like the northern and mountain brush-tailed possums, are also relatively common.2