Common Brushtail Possum (adult female)

Description:

The Common Brushtail Possum is a nocturnal, semi-arboreal marsupial of the family Phalangeridae. It is native to Australia, and the largest of the possums. It is the Australian marsupial most often seen by city-dwellers, as it is one of few that thrive in cities, as well as a wide range of natural and human-modified environments. Around human habitations, they are inventive and determined foragers with a liking for fruit trees, vegetable gardens, and kitchen raids.

Habitat:

A fruiting Lilli Pilli tree in my backyard.

Notes:

This is the mother of a young juvenile I spotted a few nights ago - http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/823... The young one was nowhere to be seen this evening. Please note the VERY SHARP CLAWS. They are very strong and can do a lot of damage!!! One of my cats, a large dominant male, was savaged by a large male possum. He came off second-best, and so did I. $1000 in vet bills later...