Welcome to Perth Zoo

This rare animal keeps a secret: no-one knows how long this possum gestates its young for.

Description: This possum has dark-brown fur on top with a cream or grey chest and stomach. Western Ringtail Possums have short, rounded ears, and a strong prehensile tail which is 30–35 cm long.

Diet: Western Ringtail Possums are herbivores and feed on eucalyptus, marri and peppermint tree leaves, buds, blossoms and soft fruit.

In the wild: Western Ringtail Possums are nocturnal and sleep in leafy nests in tree-holes during the day. They are fairly sociable and share home ranges and nests. The actual gestation period of Western Ringtail Possums is not known. Births mostly take place in winter. Young emerge at about three months and suckle until six to seven months.

Threats: Habitat destruction and predation by feral cats and foxes are threats to the Western Ringtail Possum population.

At Perth Zoo: The Nocturnal House is home to Perth Zoo’s Western Ringtail Possums.

Did you Know?

The possum's long, thin, grasping tail helps it move through the forest and is also used to carry twigs and leaves to build its nest.

Precinct
Nocturnal House
Other Name/s
Koomal (Nyoongar)
Scientific Name
Pseudocheirus occidentalis
Conservation Status
Critically Endangered
Body Length
30–35 cm
Weight
900–1100 g
Class
Mammal
Gestation
Unknown
Number of Young
1
Distribution
South-west Western Australia
Habitat
Peppermint or eucalypt forests
Region
Australia
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