Daintree Ringtail possum

Description:

The Daintree River Ringtail Possum resembles the Common Ringtail Possum of eastern Australia in size, with a body length of 335 - 370 mm and a tail 320 - 395 mm long. Adults weigh 700 - 1200 g. Fur is a pale caramel fawn to dark brown above and paler below. There is a dark longitudinal stripe from between the eyes to the lower back. The terminal third of the tail is white.

Habitat:

Elevated Rainforest

Notes:

Like other rainforest ringtail possums in north Queensland, the Daintree River Ringtail Possum is restricted to upland and highland forests. It has been recorded above 420 m altitude and is most abundant above 700 m in cool, high rainfall, misty tropical rainforest. It is arboreal, though not a very agile climber, and feeds at night on the leaves of rainforest trees and some fruits. It is commonly observed in rainforest pioneer plants and has a preference for trees such as Bleeding Heart and Alphitonia. It can be often seen feeding in these trees along the edges of the Mt Lewis road in Brooklyn Wildlife Sanctuary. It is mostly solitary, and during the day it is believed to shelter in tree hollows and clumps of epiphytes. Once out of the pouch, young are carried on the back of the mother for a time; larger young may be ‘parked’ in a low tree while the mother forages. Natural predators include the Sooty Owl, Spotted-tailed Quoll and the Carpet and Amethystine Pythons.