The possum is among the biggest threats to our organic environment.
Description
The common brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, is endemic to Australia and was initial released to New Zealand from Australia in 1837 to establish a fur trade. This launch was unsuccessful as well as a next launch in 1858 at a similar Southland location was required for them to determine.
The brushtail possum could be mis-named as an opossum, Didelphis sp., and that is an American animal not existing in New Zealand.
The possum incorporates a thick, bushy tail, thick overall body fur, a pointed snout and huge, pointed ears. There are two colour kinds of the species - grey and black, with quite a few variations in look. Possums can walk, bounce and bound and its prehensile tail allows it move all around tree branches.
the scale and pounds of possums varies across New Zealand. usually, adult possums are 65 to 95 cm very long and weigh one.4 to six.4 kg.
Possums are nocturnal and will live any place wherever There may be shelter and also a assorted food items supply. They can be now widespread throughout the vast majority of New Zealand. the primary habitat is forest, and possum densities is often especially significant in podocarp-broadleaf forests. Margins in which check here forest fulfills pasture are also popular habitat and guidance extremely dense populations.
The risk
Possums have a significant effect on lots of New Zealand’s normal ecosystems. They happen in higher numbers as well as their possess predators, including feral cats, would not have Considerably impact on controlling possum populace sizing.
Leaves are the leading aspect in their diet program, but possums are opportunistic omnivores, and consume indigenous birds as well as their eggs, land snails such as Powelliphanta and as invertebrates together with weta. They take in buds, flowers, fruit/berries and nectar, which means they compete with indigenous birds and reptiles for food stuff sources. The growth and existence-cycle of a tree or plant is considerably affected when all portions of it are eaten. Possums also have ‘favourites’ for instance rātā or kamahi trees, leading to an excellent better effect on these species.
Possums generally occupy holes in tree trunks for their nests which might normally be used by nesting birds including kākāriki and saddlebacks.
Dairy and deer farmers provide the additional fret of possums spreading bovine tuberculosis. The value of financial decline in Main production for harm and Charge of possums is while in the tens of hundreds of thousands.
Evidence shows stoats and possums are ingesting kea. Researchers using nest-cameras have witnessed the gruesome actuality within defenceless kea nests invaded by stoats and possums in South Westland.
You might help to control possums
Regular predator Command might help to manage possum figures and have us closer to your Predator Free 2050 aim.
DOC's get the job done
DOC is charged While using the treatment of New Zealand's indigenous crops and wildlife. The survival of whole ecosystems is afflicted via the possum.
we have been on the list of lots of companies that handle possum control - other organizations contain OSPRI, regional councils as well as Ministry for Most important Industries.
DOC commits resources to possum control at precedence internet sites to be certain prolonged-time period survival of species plus the ecosystems that aid them.