The possum is among the biggest threats to our organic ecosystem.
Description
The common brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, is endemic to Australia and was very first released to New Zealand from Australia in 1837 to ascertain a fur trade. This launch was unsuccessful and a next release in 1858 at exactly the same Southland spot was expected for them to ascertain.
The brushtail possum might be mis-named being an opossum, Didelphis sp., that is an American animal not present in New Zealand.
The possum includes a thick, bushy tail, thick human body fur, a pointed snout and huge, pointed ears. There's two colour varieties of the species - gray and black, with many versions in physical appearance. Possums can walk, bounce and sure and its prehensile tail helps it go around tree branches.
Possums are nocturnal and will Reside anyplace exactly where There may be shelter and also a different food stuff offer. They are now popular throughout the vast majority of New Zealand. The main habitat is forest, and possum densities might be significantly high in podocarp-broadleaf forests. Margins where by forest fulfills pasture can also be popular habitat and assist pretty dense populations.
The threat
Possums have a big impact on many of New Zealand’s pure ecosystems. They take place in high numbers as well as their have predators, like feral cats, do not have much effect on controlling possum inhabitants sizing.
Leaves are the key component in their diet program, but possums are opportunistic omnivores, and try to eat indigenous birds and their eggs, land snails including Powelliphanta and as invertebrates which include weta. They try to eat buds, flowers, fruit/berries and nectar, which suggests they compete with native birds and reptiles for food sources. The expansion and lifetime-cycle of a tree or plant is substantially impacted when all elements of it are eaten. Possums also have ‘favourites’ like rātā or kamahi trees, bringing about a good greater influence on these species.
Possums generally occupy holes in tree trunks for their nests which would normally be used by nesting birds for instance kākāriki and saddlebacks.
Dairy and deer farmers possess the added fret of possums spreading bovine tuberculosis. The value of financial reduction in Major output for injury and control of possums is within the tens of tens of millions.
proof displays stoats and possums are eating kea. Researchers applying nest-cameras have witnessed the gruesome truth inside of defenceless kea nests invaded by stoats and possums in South Westland.
You may also help to control possums
common predator Handle might help to control possum figures and obtain us nearer for the Predator no cost 2050 objective.
DOC's get the job done
DOC is billed Along with the care of recent Zealand's native plants and wildlife. The survival of whole ecosystems is impacted by the possum.
we're one of several many agencies that manage possum Regulate - other agencies include things like OSPRI, regional councils along with the Ministry for Most important Industries.
DOC commits resources to possum Manage at priority internet sites to be certain extensive-phrase survival of species and the ecosystems that guidance them.