The+Common+Ringtail+Possum

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** Common Ringtail Possum **



Formally known as the Pseudocheirus peregrinus, which in Greek stand for "false hand" and Latin for "pilgrim" or "alien", The Common Ringtail Possum is perhaps one of the most well represented animals of Australia as it is relatively close to Kangaroos, Bilby and __@Wallaby__, as they are Australian arboreal marsupials. Pseudocheirus peregrinus is found in Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia. It is about the size of a cat, and it is distinguished from other possums with its grey and white patches behind the eyes and on the belly, Also, a long strand of white at the end of the tip of the tail. The following report will generally outline the habitat and behavior of Pseudocheirus Peregrinus, explore both structural and behavioral adaptations in order for this animal to survive in the modern world.


 * **Level** || **Classification** ||
 * Kingdom || Animalia ||
 * Phylum || Chordata ||
 * Class || Mammalia ||
 * Order || Marsupial ||
 * Family || Pseudocheiridae ||
 * Genus || Pseudocheirinae ||
 * Species || Pseudocheirius ||


 * habitat **

The Common Ringtail Possum are almost exclusive tree-dwelling animals, found in shrubby woodlands, rainforests, costal shrubs, eucalyptus forests and suburban gardens, usually 1000 meters above sea level. Found along the eastern seaboard from Cape York to Tasmania in the south west of Southern Australia. Due to the fact that The Common Ringtail Possum prefers ranging from cool to tropical, they are hardly ever found in dry areas. They often feed in the first half of the night, just before dawn. Being omnivores, they feed on leaf, shoots, flowers, nectars and fruits. They can start reproducing at about 12 months and generally breed once a year. Usually, 2 to 3 baby possums are born and they make their way towards the opening pouch of the mother possum, which contain 4 teats. They leave the pouch at about 4 months, but the young continue to suckle for another 2 months and ride around on their mothers back or are cared in the drays or nests. Sadly, many are killed by either predators on the ground or humans and bushfires, very few live to the old age of six.





Unfortunately, due to deforestation and destruction of their habitat in the woodland coasts, they are forced to adapt its behavior to live closely with the humans for their wide range of flowers and fruits in their gardens. They are often found it people’s backyard, roof and walls of houses. People can spot them in gardens and running along the power line in the evenings. Sadly, they are treated as pests and trapped by humans just because they are trying to survive. Without the woodlands, they are forced to go on the ground and hunt for food, which is greatly dangerous because many predators hunt on the ground. Being extremely paranoid and careful animals, The Common Ringtail Possum can build up to 5 ‘drays’ at a time, all amongst dense undergrowth in it’s home range and will be ready to bring it’s young with it.

‘Drays’ are built in tree hollows and dense vegetation. They are usually 30 centimeter in diameter and shaped like a ball. Built by both the female and male possum build the nest by carrying leaves, shredded barks and grass curled up with their tails. They live on trees and in drays by day and hunt for food by night, although they are more likely spotted after dark due to their nocturnal behaviors. On the ground, dingoes, foxes and goannas threaten The Common Ringtail Possum; therefore they are much safer when they are up in the trees. Humans, domestic animals and power lines become other threats. Similarly, Possums, koalas and Bilbies and other marsupials share the same habit of having a pouch, which is used to care for the babies after birth. They are all very loving and protective for their own children.

1. The Ringtail Possum’s relies heavily on leaves, as well as flowers. They also feed on the eucalyptus leaf, and apparently capable of detoxify the phenols and tannins in the animal’s caecum (a part of the gut). This ability is important because eucalyptus and wattle trees dominate most of Australia’s woodland areas, therefore, eucalyptus leaf is probably one of their easiest and common diet found in the woodlands.
 * Behavioral adaptation **
 * 1) Possums are nocturnal animals, which are an advantage for them because they are often hunted by animals a lot bigger and stronger, so by hunting at night, they are creating a advantage for themselves by camouflaging against the darkness, raising the chances of survival. Also, they often go through human’s properties for food and resources, they are more likely to succeed when humans are asleep.
 * 2) Possums are coprophagy, they consume their own faeces so they can reabsorb the same nutrients again. This kind of behavior is rare with mammals; they share this uncommon behavior with __Rabbits.__This ability is a privilege for them because due to deforestation, they have lost a lot of their habitat, thus forced to collect food from human’s resource. These situations are sometimes dangerous because humans think of them as pests and try to shoo them away. Without food, having a coprophagy condition helps them absorb their nutrient again.
 * 3) Possums are extremely social animals, they are also very territorial, and often communicate with other possums through scent. On their chest, they have a patch of oily red fur and they rub it against the tree trunk or anywhere they nest to mark their territory in case other animals decided to invade. They often repeat this action every night around their home range. The scent has a faint musky smell that other animals will recognize if they come across it. These scent can help to identify the possum that made the mark, for example, it’s gender, age and how long ago it was marked. The possums that are more dominate, has a stronger scent, which will fend off others and tells them to stay away.
 * Structural adaptations **
 * 1) Possums are arboreal animals, they rarely ever come down to ground level, thus makes them develop extremely well tree-dwelling ability. This helps them survive in Australia because in Australia, floors often occur. Being on tall trees protect them from the water and flood. They have a semi-prehensile tail, although they can’t actually hang with their tail, it does help them balance and travel around the trees, telephone cables and power lines.The first two-clawed toe on their front feet points’ inward and the rest three clawed toes are pointed the opposite. Allowing secured grip on twiggy leaves and foliage. The first two toes on their rear feet are clawless and they are functioned as a thumb. They sometimes use their second and third toes, which are clawed, to sometimes groom themselves. The fifth and fourth toes are also clawed but separated. Having rough pads on their feet and prehensile tail helps them improve their tree-dwelling abilities and helps their grasps become firmer and also to carry nesting materials.Having clawed toes and feet are very exclusive for Possums and mammals. This ability helps them a lot during everyday survival, because they rely heavily on their arboreal nature.Being arboreal gives them a lot of advantage from them predators, and having their semi-prehensile tail and using it as a fifth limb helps them a lot.
 * 2) Possums have long and sensitive whiskers called vibrissae. They help possum feel the direction of the wind, which can help them build their drays as they usually build it facing the back of the wind flow. They also have a well-developed sense of smell for an arboreal animal, which is important because they usually mark their home territory with their scent.
 * Physiological adaptation **

1 - "Common Ringtail Possum - Australian Museum." //Australian Museum - nature, culture, discover - Australian Museum//. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 June 2011. . 2 - Lauran. "Common Ringtail Possum, Common Possum, Ringtail Possum, Possums, marsupials, Pseudocheirus peregrinus." //Animal-World, Dr. Jungles Exotic Pets, Animals, Aquariums. Extensive encyclopedia of animal information//. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 June 2011.  3 - "possums." //KIDCYBER//. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 June 2011.  4 - shelter, provision of a nest box for. "Possums." //City of Mitcham//. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 June 2011. .