Brushtail Possum

Habitat and Range

The Brushtail Possum is one of the most widespread marsupials in Australia, found throughout the mainland and Tasmania. It thrives in a range of habitats including rainforests, eucalyptus woodlands, dry sclerophyll forests, and coastal heathlands. It also adapts well to urban and suburban areas, where trees, fences, roofs, and garden sheds become a complex canopy of substitute habitats. In natural environments, Brushtail Possums establish home ranges in areas rich in trees with suitable hollows or thick foliage. 

These dens are essential for daytime shelter, temperature regulation, and protection from predators. In urban settings, the possum often takes advantage of ceilings, attics, and wall cavities as substitute dens. Its success in cities is largely due to the availability of food, shelter, and the absence of large predators. Interestingly, while Trichosurus vulpecula is native to Australia, it was introduced to New Zealand in the 19th century, where it has since become an invasive pest, posing a significant threat to native wildlife and vegetation. This contrast highlights the delicate balance of ecological relationships and the importance of maintaining species within their native ranges.

Nocturnal Lifestyle and Behavior

Brushtail Possums are nocturnal and solitary for most of their lives, becoming active shortly after sunset and returning to their dens before dawn. They are excellent climbers but also spend time on the ground, particularly when traveling between trees or searching for food. Movement is generally slow and deliberate, although they can run, leap, or defend themselves aggressively if cornered. Each possum maintains a home range, and though ranges may overlap, individuals are generally territorial. 

Males in particular may defend their areas through scent marking and vocal displays. They use scent glands located on the chest to mark trees, logs, or man-made objects. These markings convey information about identity, reproductive status, and territory boundaries. Brushtail Possums are surprisingly vocal. They produce a wide range of sounds including coughs, grunts, screeches, hisses, and growls—some of which can be startlingly loud for their size. These calls serve to communicate aggression, fear, courtship, or the presence of intruders. The nightly chorus of possums in suburban areas often surprises newcomers with its intensity and variety.

Feeding and Diet

The Brushtail Possum is an opportunistic and predominantly herbivorous feeder, with a diet that varies by habitat and season. In the wild, its menu includes leaves, flowers, fruits, bark, and fungi. Eucalyptus leaves form a significant part of the diet in some regions, although the possum must carefully regulate its intake of these tough, toxic leaves. Unlike koalas, Brushtail Possums cannot rely entirely on eucalyptus and therefore diversify their foraging efforts.

In more diverse forests and especially in gardens and urban settings, possums often eat a wider variety of foods. They are known to consume exotic fruits, ornamental plants, kitchen scraps, and even bird eggs or insects on occasion. Their flexible diet contributes significantly to their ability to survive in disturbed and human-altered environments. Their feeding also plays a role in seed dispersal and pollination, especially when they feed on nectar and fruits. In some ecosystems, possums are important for spreading seeds through droppings or by moving plant matter as they forage, helping to maintain plant diversity and regeneration.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Brushtail Possums follow the typical marsupial reproductive model, with females giving birth to undeveloped young that then continue development inside the pouch. Breeding can occur throughout the year in warmer regions, though it often peaks in spring and summer. After a gestation period of around 17 to 18 days, the tiny joey—barely larger than a jellybean—climbs into the mother’s forward-facing pouch and attaches to a teat. It remains in the pouch for approximately 4 to 5 months, after which it gradually begins to explore the outside world while still returning to nurse and seek warmth.

By about 6 to 7 months of age, the young possum is fully furred and riding on the mother’s back during foraging trips. It is weaned shortly after and becomes fully independent by 8 to 9 months. Most females give birth to a single joey at a time, although twins occasionally occur. Maturity is usually reached by one year of age, and Brushtail Possums can live up to 13 years in captivity, though lifespans in the wild are generally shorter due to predation, disease, and environmental factors.

Ecological Role and Importance

Although they are sometimes viewed as nuisances in gardens or attics, Brushtail Possums play a valuable ecological role in Australian ecosystems. As herbivores and opportunistic omnivores, they contribute to controlling plant growth and dispersing seeds, particularly of native fruits and shrubs. Their presence as pollinators is especially noteworthy in eucalyptus forests. While feeding on flowers and nectar, possums transfer pollen between blooms, helping sustain the reproductive cycles of many native plant species. Some plants are even adapted specifically to attract nocturnal marsupial visitors, making the Brushtail Possum an essential link in the ecological chain. Additionally, their droppings help fertilize the forest floor, and their foraging behavior creates small disturbances that allow seeds to germinate. As prey, especially in juvenile stages, they also support populations of native predators such as powerful owls, quolls, and pythons.

Interaction with Humans

Brushtail Possums are among the most common native mammals that Australians encounter. In urban areas, they may nest in ceilings, garages, or sheds and forage in gardens or compost bins. While some people enjoy their nightly visits and feed them intentionally, others see them as pests—especially when they damage plants, chew through insulation, or make loud noises at night. Managing human-possum interactions often requires a balance between tolerance and humane exclusion. Wildlife authorities typically advise against feeding possums, as it can encourage dependency, aggression, and poor health. 

Instead, they recommend providing possum-proof nesting boxes in trees to lure possums away from buildings and protecting garden plants with netting or fencing. In some states, Brushtail Possums are protected under law, and relocation is strictly regulated. Removing a possum from a roof, for instance, generally requires a license and must be done in accordance with welfare guidelines. This ensures that relocated animals are released within a safe distance of their original territory and not subjected to unnecessary stress.

Conservation Status and Management

In their native Australian range, Brushtail Possums are not considered threatened and are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Their adaptability to urban environments and generalist diet has helped them thrive even as other marsupials decline. Nevertheless, local populations may be affected by road mortality, dog and cat attacks, disease, and loss of nesting hollows due to land clearing. While the species overall is secure, habitat loss—especially the removal of old-growth trees with hollows—can limit breeding opportunities. In fragmented forests and urban fringes, competition for nesting sites can be intense. 

Installing artificial nest boxes can help alleviate this problem, but long-term success depends on the preservation of native vegetation and habitat corridors. In New Zealand, where Brushtail Possums were introduced in the 1800s for the fur trade, they have become one of the most destructive invasive species. They compete with native birds for food and habitat, spread disease to livestock, and severely damage forest ecosystems. As a result, they are targeted by widespread eradication efforts in New Zealand, offering a stark contrast to their protected status in Australia.

Cultural Significance and Public Perception

Over time, the Brushtail Possum has developed a dual image in Australian culture—part cuddly, tree-hugging marsupial and part mischievous garden invader. Its bold presence in cities and expressive behavior has earned it a unique place in public consciousness. It frequently appears in children’s books, television shows, and educational materials about Australian wildlife. Indigenous Australian cultures have long known of and respected the Brushtail Possum. In some traditions, possums were hunted for their meat and pelts and featured in Dreamtime stories. 

Possum-skin cloaks, once worn by Aboriginal people in southern Australia, were crafted from stitched possum hides and served as warm, practical garments as well as cultural records—each cloak bearing designs and markings of personal and spiritual significance. Today, the Brushtail Possum continues to inspire both affection and frustration, often depending on where it decides to nest. Nevertheless, it remains an accessible and engaging ambassador for native wildlife, particularly in urban areas where direct encounters with nature are increasingly rare.

Urban Survivors and the Future

The Brushtail Possum’s ability to adapt is both its greatest strength and its most visible trait. As cities grow and natural environments change, this marsupial continues to find new ways to live among people, proving remarkably resilient. However, this coexistence does come with responsibilities. Urban development must be planned with biodiversity in mind, and the needs of species like the Brushtail Possum must be considered alongside human interests. Preserving mature trees, installing nest boxes, managing invasive species, and educating the public about living with native wildlife are all part of a broader strategy for peaceful coexistence. Even small actions—such as planting native trees, securing trash bins, or keeping pets indoors at night—can make a difference in ensuring that these nocturnal neighbors remain a vibrant part of Australia’s natural world.

A Quiet Night’s Watcher

The Brushtail Possum is more than just a curious creature peering down from a fence or scurrying across a rooftop. It is a symbol of adaptation, resilience, and the subtle interconnectedness of life in Australia’s ecosystems. Whether encountered in the canopy of a forest or the branches of a backyard gum tree, Trichosurus vulpecula offers a glimpse into the beauty and complexity of marsupial life. Through its foraging, nesting, and nightly wanderings, the Brushtail Possum reminds us that the line between wild and domestic is often blurred—and that with understanding and care, it’s possible for people and wildlife to thrive together.