As many visitors also go on spotlighting excursions, the first edition contained a key to the rainforest possums. This was omitted in the complete overhaul of the enlarged third and fourth editions due to lack of space but is posted here. The key was compiled by Dr Nicky Goudberg who, during field work for her PhD spent many hours in the forest at night studying possums.
KEY TO NORTHERN RAINFOREST POSSUMS
- SIZE
- Less than 250mm body length excluding tail - 2
- Greater than 250mm body length excluding tail - 3
- Body size of large mouse - Long-tailed Pygmy possum (Darker colouration around eyes; eyes prominent and bulging; tail not noticeably furry).
- Body size larger than mouse – Herbert River Ringtail – juvenile (fawn colouration; maybe variable white patches on stomach and tail tip; often abandoned by mother at very small size; looks like small Daintree River Possum.
- EAR SIZE AND SHAPE
- Large triangular ears clearly visible, no black and white facial stripes – Coppery Brushtail Possum (ears like cats’ ears; copper to brown fur colouration; maybe white tail tip)
- Large triangular ears clearly visible, black and white facial stripes – Striped Possum (black and white body; prominent toe on each front foot; white tail tip)
- Small rounded ears, not triangular or prominent – 4
- COLOURATION
- White present on body and/or head – 5
- No white present on head or body – 7
- Body all white – Lemuroid Ringtail – white form.
- Body not all white - 6.
- White patches under eyes and on ears – Green Ringtail Possum (green-grey fur; conspicuous dorsal stripe; white belly; tail thick at base).
- No white patches under eyes or on ears – Herbert River Ringtail Possum (Dark brown/black body with variable white underneath and on tail; darker possums with only a white anal patch; prominent Roman nose in profile).
- Dark dorsal stripe extending from between the eyes onto back; fawn colouration on body – Daintree River Possum (pink eyeshine; Roman nose; prominent bulging eyes; on lowlands and north of but not on Atherton Tablelands).
- No dark dorsal stripe on back starting between eyes onto back, fawn colouration on body – Lemuroid Ringtail Possum (glaring white eyeshine; furry even diameter tail; often in pairs or groups of three; flattened face, pug nose in profile; in forests above 600m).
Note: The well being of the animal must be the prime consideration. Once you have seen the animal, leave the area and let it continue with its night’s foraging.
To be really sure of what you are looking at, it is well worth going out with a local guide. This way you’ll have an excellent chance of seeing the amazing Tree Kangaroos as well as a good selection of possums and nocturnal birds.
Details of tours by local naturalist Alan Gillanders can be found at www.alanswildlifetours.com.au. Note that this page opens in a new window.