Possum
46371
223327714
2008-07-03T16:13:43Z
201.81.88.34
{{otheruses}}
:''For the Western Hemisphere marsupial, see [[opossum]].''
{{Taxobox
| name = Possums
| image = Brushtail possum.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = [[Common Brushtail Possum]]<br>(''Trichosurus vulpecula'')
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[Mammalia]]
| infraclassis = [[Marsupialia]]
| ordo = [[Diprotodontia]]
| subordo = '''Phalangeriformes'''
| subordo_authority = [[Szalay]] in [[Archer (biologist)|Archer]], [[1982]]
| subdivision_ranks = [[Superfamily|Superfamilies]] and [[Family (biology)|Families]]
| subdivision =
[[Phalangeroidea]]
*[[Burramyidae]]
*[[Phalangeridae]]
[[Petauroidea]]
*[[Pseudocheiridae]]
*[[Petauridae]]
*[[Tarsipedidae]]
*[[Acrobatidae]]
}}
A '''possum''' is any of about 64 small to medium-sized [[arboreal]] [[marsupial]] [[species]] native to [[Australia]], [[New Guinea]], and [[Sulawesi]] (and introduced to [[New Zealand]]). The name derives from their resemblance to the [[opossum]]s of [[the Americas]]. (The name is from [[Algonquian]] ''wapathemwa'', not [[Greek language|Greek]] or [[Latin]], so the plural is ''possums'', not ''possa''.) ''Possum'' is also used in North America as a short form of ''[[Opossum]]''. The possum's rank odour is due to its large musk glands located behind each ear.
Possums are small marsupials with brown or grey fur, ranging in size and weight from the length of a finger or 170 grams (6 ounces) ([[pygmy possum]]s and [[wrist-winged glider]]s), to the length of 120 centimetres (four feet) or 14.5 kilograms (32 pounds) (brushtails and ringtails). In general, though, the larger possums are about the same size as a well-fed domestic cat. All possums are [[nocturnal]] and [[omnivorous]], hiding in a nest in a hollow tree during the day and coming out during the night to forage for food. They fill much the same role in the Australian ecosystem that [[squirrel]]s fill in the northern hemisphere and are broadly similar in appearance.
The two most common species of possums, the [[Common Brushtail Possum|Common Brushtail]] and [[Common Ringtail Possum|Common Ringtail]], are also among the largest.
==Interaction with humans==
The animal has been a part of Australian culture and folklore since the original indigenous inhabitants of the country. [[Aboriginal Australians]] once used possum hides whilst playing the traditional game of [[Marn Grook]]. [[Possum-skin cloak]]s were important clothing for Aborigines from the south-east, as well as being important clan heirlooms.
Possums are commonly found in suburban areas, where they are often considered pests owing to their habit of eating fruit, vegetables, flowers and tender young shoots from gardens, and nesting in roofs. The loud hissing, crackling territorial call of the male Common Brushtail may also be a problem for suburban residents. Natural deterrents which play upon the possum's acute sense of smell are often employed to discourage them. These include cloves of garlic, [[camphor]] or [[naphthalene]]. As a native species in Australia, possums are protected by Australian regulations, even when they reside in urban neighbourhoods, and cannot be baited. They cannot be killed as pests, to the irritation of many homeowners, and if captured, the regulations stipulate that they must be released within a small radius of that locality since they are territorial creatures. Preventative measures such as blocking off their access to the roof spaces or building a possum nesting box for an alternative home are instead recommended.
Although the Common Brushtail and (to a lesser extent) ringtail possums have adapted well to the urban environment, many of the lesser-known species are reduced in number, threatened, or [[endangered species|endangered]].
==Introduction into New Zealand==
The [[Common Brushtail Possum]] was introduced to [[New Zealand]] by European settlers in an attempt to establish a [[fur]] industry.
They soon escaped into the wild where they have thrived as an [[invasive species]] with great numbers: around 60 million individuals estimated. There are no native predators of the possum in New Zealand. There have been numerous attempts to eradicate them because of the damage they do to native trees and wildlife, as well as acting as a carrier of bovine [[tuberculosis]]. For New Zealand, the introduction of possums has resulted in as much of an ecological disaster as the introduction of [[rabbit (ecology)|rabbits]] has been in Australia.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
==Classification==
About two-thirds of Australian marsupials belong to the [[Order (biology)|order]] [[Diprotodontia]], which is split into three [[suborder]]s: the [[Vombatiformes]] ([[wombat]]s and the [[Koala]], 4 species in total); the large and diverse [[Phalangeriformes]] (the possums and gliders) and [[Macropodiformes]] ([[kangaroo]]s, [[potoroo]]s, [[wallaby|wallabies]] and the [[Musky Rat-kangaroo]]).
* '''Suborder PHALANGERIFORMES''': possums, gliders and allies
** Superfamily [[Phalangeroidea]]
*** Family [[Burramyidae]]: pygmy possums
**** Genus ''[[Burramys]]''
***** [[Mountain Pygmy Possum]], ''Burramys parvus''
**** Genus ''[[Cercartetus]]''
***** [[Long-tailed Pygmy Possum]], ''Cercartetus caudatus''
***** [[Southwestern Pygmy Possum]], ''Cercartetus concinnus''
***** [[Tasmanian Pygmy Possum]], ''Cercartetus lepidus''
***** [[Eastern Pygmy Possum]], ''Cercartetus nanus''
*** Family [[Phalangeridae]]: brushtail possums and cuscuses
**** Subfamily [[Ailuropinae]]
***** Genus ''[[Ailurops]]''
****** [[Talaud Bear Cuscus]], ''Ailurops melanotis''
****** [[Sulawesi Bear Cuscus]], ''Ailurops ursinus''
**** Subfamily [[Phalangerinae]]
***** Tribe [[Phalangerini]]
****** Genus ''[[Phalanger]]''
******* [[Gebe Cuscus]], ''Phalanger alexandrae''
******* [[Mountain Cuscus]], ''Phalanger carmelitae''
******* [[Ground Cuscus]], ''Phalanger gymnotis''
******* [[Eastern Common Cuscus]], ''Phalanger intercastellanus''
******* [[Woodlark Cuscus]], ''Phalanger lullulae''
******* [[Blue-eyed Cuscus]], ''Phalanger matabiru''
******* [[Telefomin Cuscus]], ''Phalanger matanim''
******* [[Southern Common Cuscus]], ''Phalanger mimicus''
******* [[Northern Common Cuscus]], ''Phalanger orientalis''
******* [[Ornate Cuscus]], ''Phalanger ornatus''
******* [[Rothschild's Cuscus]], ''Phalanger rothschildi''
******* [[Silky Cuscus]], ''Phalanger sericeus''
******* [[Stein's Cuscus]], ''Phalanger vestitus''
****** Genus ''[[Spilocuscus]]''
******* [[Admiralty Island Cuscus]], ''Spilocuscus kraemeri''
******* [[Common Spotted Cuscus]], ''Spilocuscus maculatus''
******* [[Waigeou Cuscus]], ''Spilocuscus papuensis''
******* [[Black-spotted Cuscus]], ''Spilocuscus rufoniger''
******* [[Blue-eyed Spotted Cuscus]], ''Spilocuscus wilsoni''
***** Tribe [[Trichosurini]]
****** Genus ''[[Strigocuscus]]''
******* [[Sulawesi Dwarf Cuscus]], ''Strigocuscus celebensis''
******* [[Banggai Cuscus]], ''Strigocuscus pelegensis''
****** Genus ''[[Trichosurus]]''
******* [[Northern Brushtail Possum]], ''Trichosurus arnhemensis''
******* [[Short-eared Possum]], ''Trichosurus caninus''
******* [[Mountain Brushtail Possum]], ''Trichosurus cunninghami''
******* [[Coppery Brushtail Possum]], ''Trichosurus johnstonii''
******* [[Common Brushtail Possum]] ''Trichosurus vulpecula''
****** Genus ''[[Wyulda]]''
******* [[Scaly-tailed Possum]], ''Wyulda squamicaudata''
** Superfamily [[Petauroidea]]
*** Family [[Pseudocheiridae]]
**** Subfamily [[Hemibelideinae]]
***** Genus ''[[Hemibelideus]]''
****** [[Lemur-like Ringtail Possum]], ''Hemibelideus lemuroides''
***** Genus ''[[Petauroides]]''
****** [[Greater Glider]], ''Petauroides volans''
**** Subfamily [[Pseudocheirinae]]
***** Genus ''[[Petropseudes]]''
****** [[Rock-haunting Ringtail Possum]], ''Petropseudes dahli''
***** Genus ''[[Pseudocheirus]]''
****** [[Common Ringtail Possum]], ''Pseudocheirus peregrinus''
***** Genus ''[[Pseudochirulus]]''
****** [[Lowland Ringtail Possum]], ''Pseudochirulus canescens''
****** [[Weyland Ringtail Possum]], ''Pseudochirulus caroli''
****** [[Cinereus Ringtail Possum]], ''Pseudochirulus cinereus''
****** [[Painted Ringtail Possum]], ''Pseudochirulus forbesi''
****** [[Herbert River Ringtail Possum]], ''Pseudochirulus herbertensis''
****** [[Masked Ringtail Possum]], ''Pseudochirulus larvatus''
****** [[Pygmy Ringtail Possum]], ''Pseudochirulus mayeri''
****** [[Vogelkop Ringtail Possum]], ''Pseudochirulus schlegeli''
**** Subfamily [[Pseudochiropinae]]
***** Genus ''[[Pseudochirops]]''
****** [[D'Albertis' Ringtail Possum]], ''Pseudochirops albertisii''
****** [[Green Ringtail Possum]], ''Pseudochirops archeri''
****** [[Plush-coated Ringtail Possum]], ''Pseudochirops corinnae''
****** [[Reclusive Ringtail Possum]], ''Pseudochirops coronatus''
****** [[Coppery Ringtail Possum]], ''Pseudochirops cupreus''
*** Family [[Petauridae]]
**** Genus ''[[Dactylopsila]]''
***** [[Great-tailed Triok]], ''Dactylopsila megalura''
***** [[Long-fingered Triok]], ''Dactylopsila palpator''
***** [[Tate's Triok]], ''Dactylopsila tatei''
***** [[Striped Possum]], ''Dactylopsila trivirgata''
**** Genus ''[[Gymnobelideus]]''
***** [[Leadbeater's Possum]], ''Gymnobelideus leadbeateri''
**** Genus ''[[Petaurus]]''
***** [[Northern Glider]], ''Petaurus abidi''
***** [[Yellow-bellied Glider]], ''Petaurus australis''
***** [[Biak Glider]], ''Petaurus biacensis''
***** [[Sugar Glider]], ''Petaurus breviceps''
***** [[Mahogany Glider]], ''Petaurus gracilis''
***** [[Squirrel Glider]], ''Petaurus norfolcensis''
*** Family [[Tarsipedidae]]
**** Genus ''[[Tarsipes]]''
***** [[Honey Possum]] or Noolbenger, ''Tarsipes rostratus''
*** Family [[Acrobatidae]]
**** Genus ''[[Acrobates]]''
***** [[Feathertail Glider]] ''Acrobates pygmaeus''
**** Genus ''[[Distoechurus]]''
***** [[Feather-tailed Possum]] ''Distoechurus pennatus''
==Possums in popular culture==
In modern times, the phrase "Hello possums!" made famous by satirist [[Barry Humphries]]' character [[Dame Edna Everage]] has become a celebrated catchphrase.
== References==
*{{MSW3 Groves|pages=44-56}}
==See also==
* [[Shrew opossum]]
* [[Playing possum]]
{{Diprotodontia}}
[[Category:Possums| ]]
[[Category:Mammals of New Guinea]]
[[ar:بوسوم]]
[[ca:Pòssum]]
[[cs:Possum]]
[[de:Possum]]
[[es:Phalangeriformes]]
[[fr:Possum]]
[[id:Posum]]
[[it:Possum]]
[[he:פוסום אוסטרלי]]
[[lt:Medlaipiai sterbliniai]]
[[nl:Koeskoezen]]
[[ja:ポッサム]]
[[pl:Pałankowate]]
[[pt:Phalangeriformes]]
[[ru:Поссумы]]
[[fi:Pussikiipijät]]
[[sv:Klätterpungdjur]]