Download Western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis)

Western Ringtail Possum
Pseudocheirus occidentalis (Thomas, 1888)
Habitat
Size
The western ringtail possum was once located in a variety of habitats
including, coastal peppermint, coastal peppermint/tuart, jarrah/marri
associations, sheoak woodland, eucalypt woodland and mallee.
Head and body length:
300-400mm
Current populations inhabit coastal peppermint/tuart associations
from Bunbury to Albany, and in eucalypt forest near Manjimup. The
highest density of western ringtail possums is found on the southern
Swan Coastal Plain near Busselton, in habitats with dense, relatively
lush vegetation. The Upper Warren area east of Manjimup is the only
place the western ringtail possum currently survives in the absence
of peppermint trees.
Tail length:
300-410mm
Weight
700-1300g for males
Western ringtail possums build nests or dreys in low shrub thickets,
sedges, rushes, grass trees, and within various tree canopies. They
have also been recorded nesting in tree hollows, when they are
available.
750-1200g for females
Subspecies
None recognised.
Photo © Adrian Wayne
Behaviour
The western ringtail possum is a highly arboreal nocturnal species
that feeds; rests and socialises in tree canopies and is rarely seen on
the ground. Dreys are the usual daytime rest site, but they have also
been recorded resting in eucalypt and peppermint hollows. Adults will
usually rest alone and will occupy three to eight different nest sites
(dreys or hollow trees) in the course of a year. Social activities occur
at night, primarily by the investigation of scent trails on tree limbs
(marked with urine) and from males visiting adjacent female home
ranges.
Description
Western ringtail possums are usually very dark brown above,
however are occasionally dark grey, with cream or grey fur below.
Their ears are short and rounded. Their tail is long, slender, creamy
white-tipped and strongly prehensile.
Distribution
The western ringtail possum has a relatively small and stable home
range (area of occupancy). In dense, coastal peppermint forest,
home ranges are about 0.5-1.5 ha and in eucalypt forests about 2.5
ha. In contrast, in the northern jarrah forests, home ranges are larger
and have been recorded to be at least 5.6 ha. Adjacent home ranges
overlap as much as 70%.
Historically western ringtail possum were widely distributed
throughout the south-western forests of Western Australia, extending
to south-east of Geraldton and the southern edge of the Nullarbor
Plain.
Their current distribution is patchy and largely restricted to near
coastal areas of peppermint woodland and peppermint/tuart
associations from the Australind/Eaton area to the Waychinicup
National Park, east of Albany, and in the southern forest near
Manjimup. An important population of western ringtail possums occur
in and around the Busselton town site.
Diet
The diet of western ringtail possums is variable. Peppermint (Agonis
flexuosa) leaves form the basis of their diet in coastal areas, but
when unavailable jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and marri (Corymbia
calophylla) are the main food source. In urban areas such as
Bunbury and Busselton, western ringtail possums will often feed on a
variety of garden species including rose flowers and leaves and a
variety of cultivated fruits.
The western ringtail possum has been re-established in the
Leschenault Conservation Park, Yalgorup National Park, Lane-Poole
Reserve, Karakamia Sanctuary and Perup Sanctuary.
For further information regarding the distribution of this species
please refer to http://naturemap.dpaw.wa.gov.au/
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Fauna profiles
Western Ringtail Possum
Breeding
Most western ringtail possums will give birth in winter, but some
populations are capably of breeding throughout the year. Young
emerge from the pouch at approximately three months when they
weigh roughly 125g and will suckle until they are 6-7 months old and
weighing roughly 550g. Litter sizes are usually only one, however
litters of two or three young are not uncommon.
Additional reading
Department of Parks and Wildlife (2014). Western Ringtail
Possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) Recovery Plan. Wildlife
Management Program No. 58. Department of Parks and Wildlife,
Perth, WA.
de Tores, P.J. (2008). Western Ringtail Possum. In Van Dyck,
S. and R. Strahan (Eds.) The Mammals of Australia. Reed New
Holland. Sydney.
Threatening processes
The major factors thought to be contributing to the decline of the
western ringtail possums include habitat fragmentation, predation by
introduced predators, and changing fire regimes. The main predators
of the western ringtail possums are introduced foxes, feral cats and
carpet pythons. Clearing of coastal peppermint vegetation throughout
their range is contributing to fragmentation of areas of suitable
habitat, with the reduction in continuous tree canopy cover forcing
the possums to the ground when moving between trees, which
increases their exposure to predators. Prescribed burning of suitable
habitat needs to be managed to maximize population survival and
enhancement.
Department of the Environment (2015). Pseudocheirus
occidentalis in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of
the Environment, Canberra. Available from:
http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat
Morris, K., Burbidge, A. & Friend, T. 2008. Pseudocheirus
occidentalis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version
2014.3. Available from: www.iucnredlist.org
Conservation status
Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950
Specially Protected - Threatened
Schedule 1 – Fauna that is rare or is likely to become extinct
(Ranked as Endangered)
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Vulnerable
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Vulnerable (Version 3.1)
Management in Western Australia
A recovery plan has been prepared for this species. The main
objectives for the recovery of the western ringtail possum include:
 to retain and effectively manage habitat critical for the survival of
western ringtail possums,
 to limit the impact of threatening processes that impact the
ongoing viability of western ringtail possums, and
 to increase the recognition of the status of the western ringtail
possum and support towards its conservation.
Photo © Adrian Wayne
Further information
Contact your local office of the Department of Parks and Wildlife
See the department’s website for the latest information: www.dpaw.wa.gov.au
Disclaimer: This publication may be of assistance to you but the Government of Western Australia and its officers do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of
any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying
on any information in this publication
Last updated 11/03/2015
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