What are facts about the ringed tail possum?

Answer 1

Behavioural adaptations of a ringtail possum include:

• They nest in hollows in trees, enabling them to stay clear of predators
• When habitat is cleared, they adapt quickly and easily, moving into the roof space in houses, or any other available space such as dog kennels or fireplaces
• Possums are nocturnal, which means they feed at night
• Although social animals, possums are intensely territorial, defending their territory with loud screeches and hisses, and sometimes fighting
• Also, they carry out coprophagy - Ringtail possums consume their own faeces which helps it reabsorb the same nutrients once again.

Answer 2

A Ringtail possum has, as its name suggests, a tail that curls up at the end. The tail is prehensile, enabling the possum to use it like a fifth limb, and it also has a long friction pad on its underside which aids it in gripping surfaces. The Ringtail possum also has a gap between its second and third fingers, which helps it to grip tree branches (and power lines) securely.

Answer 3

The ringtail possum is an animal found in Australia. It protects itself by living the vast majority of it's life in the trees. Additionally, they live in tight family groups that will work to keep away outsiders.

Answer 4

Ringtail possums have sharp claws and teeth with which to protect themselves. As arboreal-dwelling animals, they are protected from most predators. They shelter inside tree hollows and the roof spaces of suburban houses, so their biggest threat tends to be dogs and cats - which are no match for their claws and teeth.

Answer 5

Possums walk and climb. They are efficient climbers, scaling trees of various sizes, and often leaping between branches, and from trees to house roofs. They scamper quickly through the bush and along branches and house roofs.

Answer 6

The ringtail possum is primarily red-brown in colour, with the length of an adult averaging 30-35cm, excluding the tail. Its name comes from the fact that its tail is curled and partially prehensile. It is completely unrelated to the opossum.

Answer 7

Many possums will play dead so that their predator will think that they have been their for a long period of time.