Eastern Ringtail Possum
Pseudocheirus peregrinus
Meet the Eastern Ringtail Possum
Habitat & Range
Eastern Ringtail Possums occur along eastern and south-eastern Australia, including Tasmania.
They live in forests, woodlands, dense scrub and other areas with suitable trees and vegetation. They can also occur in well-vegetated gardens and suburban areas.
Ringtail possums spend much of their lives above the ground, moving through branches to find food, shelter and safe places to rest.
What's on the Menu?
Eastern Ringtail Possums are herbivores. Their diet consists mainly of leaves, along with flowers, fruits and other plant material.
Eucalypt leaves form an important part of their natural diet. Like many Australian herbivores, they have a specialised digestive system that helps them obtain nutrients from tough, fibrous vegetation.
Amazing Adaptations
One of the Eastern Ringtail Possum's most distinctive adaptations is its long prehensile tail.
The tail can curl tightly around branches, helping the possum balance and move through the treetops. The end of the tail is often white and is frequently carried in a tight curl.
Strong grasping feet and sharp claws provide additional grip when climbing through trees, while large eyes are well suited to being active after dark.
Did You Know?
Eastern Ringtail Possums build their own nests, known as dreys.
Dreys are made from leaves, twigs and other vegetation and provide a sheltered place for possums to rest during the day.
Behaviour
Eastern Ringtail Possums are mainly nocturnal. During the day they usually rest in a drey, tree hollow or another sheltered location.
After dark they emerge to forage through trees and shrubs, moving carefully between branches in search of leaves and other food.
Unlike some possum species, Eastern Ringtails can be quite social and may share nesting areas with other members of their family group.
Conservation & Threats
Eastern Ringtail Possums can live in a variety of environments, but suitable trees and connected vegetation remain important for their survival.
Habitat loss and fragmentation can force possums to travel across the ground, where they are more vulnerable to vehicle collisions and attacks from domestic animals.
Loss of mature trees, dense vegetation and safe nesting sites can also reduce the shelter available to possums.
Eastern Ringtail Possums at Trowunna
Eastern Ringtail Possums provide visitors with an opportunity to discover the lives of Tasmania's nocturnal, tree-dwelling marsupials.
Their specialised tail, climbing ability and leaf-based diet demonstrate how native animals are adapted to life among Australia's forests and woodlands.
Trowunna also provides care and rehabilitation for native wildlife, with release back into suitable habitat pursued whenever it is appropriate and safe for the individual animal.
How You Can Help
- Protect mature trees, shrubs and connected native vegetation.
- Keep cats contained and dogs under control, particularly after dark.
- Slow down when driving at night and watch carefully for wildlife.
- Avoid feeding wild possums human food.
- Retain suitable tree hollows and natural shelter wherever possible.
- Seek wildlife rescue advice if you find an injured or orphaned possum.
Wildlife Welfare Comes First
Eastern Ringtail Possums are nocturnal and need quiet, sheltered places where they can rest undisturbed during the day.
Please do not feed, touch, wake or attempt to handle Trowunna's possums. Allow them to retreat whenever they choose and always follow instructions from our wildlife keepers.