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Leadbeater's possum - GYMNOBELIDEUS LEADBEATERI
Endangered
Class: Animals with Milk Glands (Mammalia)
The Name "Possum": The word "opossum" was taken from the Algonquian Indian word for the animal. Although other animals in South America and Australia are called "possums," they are not closely related to the Virginia animal, and only derive their name by dint of a generally similar shape. True opossums are unique to North America.
Location: Southernmost tip of Victoria, Australia.
Habitat: Arboreal, preferring the dense wet eucalypt forests.
Description: Leadbeater's possum is a squirrel-like animal with a long bushy tail, and large ears and eyes. It has thick soft fur which is a gray-brown color on the back, and white or beige on the belly. A dark band of fur extends from its forehead to its rump, and there are dark patches at base of its ears and above and below its eyes. Its head and body length is 6"to 7", and it weighs about 5.5 oz.
Behavior: Known from only five specimens which were collected before 1910, Leadbester's possum was thought to be extinct until 1961, when several were seen alive, and two specimens were subsequently caught by Australian scientists. This species resembles the sugar glider but lacks a gliding membrane. Leadbeater's possum is nocturnal, and prefers heavily wooded forests where it can scramble from branch to branch. It makes a nest of loose bark in a tree hollows. It is known to eat beetles and a species of nocturnal flightless cave cricket that lives under bark, but little else is known of its eating habits.
Reproduction: Reproductive habits of the species are not yet known, though young have been found in the pouch in October-November, suggesting a breeding season in September. There are 4 teats and 2 young are believed average per litter.
Go to the Marsupials Page to get a general discussion of these animals.
Or go to the Opossum Index to study more opossums.
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