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Home , Brushtail possum, Common ringtail possum, Eastern pygmy possum, Feathertail glider, Honey possum, Petaurus

Possums and Gliders Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/book/chapter-pdf/2644066/rzsnsw_1990_011.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021

Ray Williams School of Biological Science, University of New Southi Wales P.O. Box 1, Kensington, 2033, AustraUa QJ

INTRODUCTION Several of Australian possums and gliders are often kept in zoos, wildlife parks and research establishments. All are nocturnal and arboreal with a wide range of dietary preferences. For the purposes of this chapter, these can be divided into the following groups; the most commonly kept species is given as an example: (1) , e.g., the Common Trichosurus vulpecula; (2) Ringtail possums, e.g., the peregrinus; (3) Striped Possums and gliders including Leadbeater's Possum, e.g., the breviceps, (4) Pygmy-possums and the , e.g., the Eastern Pygmy-possum nanus; (5) The Tarsipes rostratus. For a review of the biology of Australian possum families, see the various chapters in Walton and Richardson (1989).

Phalangers There are six species in this group ranging in adult size from 1-5 kg. The Trichosunis vulpecula is the only species of this group often kept in captivity. The Bobuck or Mountain Brushtail T. caninus and the Northem Brushtail Possum T. arnhemensis are locally common in the wild but only a few seem to find their way into captivity.

The other three species, the Scaly-tailed Possum Wyulda squamicaudata, Spotted maculatus and the Grey Cuscus Phalanger orientalis are rare in . Most specimens of cuscus held in captivity originate from .

In the wild, all species appear to be omnivorous, feeding on leaves, , fruits, fungi, insects and possibly eggs and carrion. The brushtails often search for food on the ground, particularly in open forest and have been known to use fallen, hollow logs and the like for Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/book/chapter-pdf/2644066/rzsnsw_1990_011.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021 shelter during the day. tend to consume more leaves in their diet and the Spotted Cuscus is more arboreal.

Phalangers are solitary and males in particular have a home range that is defended partially or wholly against unwanted intruders.

With this in mind, these species are best kept in breeding pairs or singly because the confines of the cage make escape by the subordinate difficult.

The usual number of young for this group is one, except for the Grey Cuscus where two young have been observed in the pouch (Winter 1983).

Brushtail possums are reasonably easy to breed in captivity. The Common Brushtail Possum has a single young bom after a gestation period of 17-18 days (see also Table 1). Birth can occur throughout the year but major peaks during spring and autumn have been noted. Pouch life is 4-5 months and the young continues to ride on its mother's back for a few weeks. Weaning takes place at 6 months of age and at 8-9 months the young is indepen- dent. Female young can breed at 1 year old and males are fertile at about 16 months of age.

To my knowledge the Spotted Cuscus has only been bred once in Australia. This was in 1971 at the Australian Reptile Park at Gosford in New South Wales (B. Drake, pers. comm.).

Ringtail Possums

Of the five species in this group only the Common Ringtail Pseudocheinis peregrinus is commonly kept in captivity.

Three species, the Herbert River, Green and Lemuroid Ringtail Possums (P. herbertensis, P. archeri and Hemibelideus lemuroides respectively), are restricted to northern rainforest and efforts to keep them in captivity have met with little success. Their diet in the wild is almost exclusively rainforest foliage although at least the Lemuroid Possum also eats stems.

The Rock Ringtail Possum (P. dahli) is found in rock escarpment areas of northwestern Queensland, Arnhemland in the Northern Territory and the Kimberley region in northwestem . It has rarely been kept in captivity but is known to eat blossom, fruits and leaves of vegetation near the rock escarpments.

The Common Ringtail Possum is, as its name implies, relatively common throughout its range on the east coast of Australia, and southwestern Western Australia. It usually lives in dense vegetation and unlike many other possum species is not restricted to the use of hollow logs for nesting. Where tree hollows are rare, nests (or dreys) are made of stringy bark in dense vegetation. Table 1. Breeding data for Australian possums and gliders.

Gestation Pouch Sexually period Litter Litters life Weaned mature Breeding Species (days) size per year (months) (months) (months) season

Phalangers S 2 Trichosurus vulpecula 17.5 1 1.4 5 6 24 12 Mar-May Sept-Nov T. caninus 16 1 1 6 8.5 36 36 Mar-May Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/book/chapter-pdf/2644066/rzsnsw_1990_011.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021 T. amhemensis 1 1.8 6 All year (peak July-Aug) Phalanger maculatus 1 P. orientalis 1-2 All year Wyulda squamicaudata 1 1 6? 8 24 Mar-Aug Ringtails Pseudocheirus peregrinus 1-3 1.2 4 6.5 12 Apr-Nov P. archeri 1 Aug-Nov P. dahU 1-2 All year? P. herbertensis 2 1 4 5 12-t- Apr-Dec Hemibelideus lemuroides 1 Aug-Mov r ,.1 Ciliders Petauroides volans 1 1 5.6 7.5 24 18 Apr-June Petaunis australis 1 1 3.3 5 Mov-May May-Jan P. breviceps I 16 1-2 1.4 3 4 8 (captive) P. norfolcensis J Aug-Nov (wild) Gymnobelideus leadbeateri 20 1-2 1.4 3 4 18 May-June Oct-Nov DactytopsUa trivirgata 1-2 Feb-Aug Pygmy-possums and Feathertails parvus 14-16? 4 1 25 days 2 18-1- 24 Nov-Dec Cercartetus caudatus 1-4 2 1.5 2 Jan-Feb ^ Aug-Nov C. concinnus 50 4-6 2 25 days 1.6 All year C. lepidus 4 3 Sept-Jan C. nanus 4 2 2 Spring/ Autumn Acrobates pygmaeus 3 2 2 3.3 12 8 All year (in north) Honey Possum Tarsipes mstratus 60 2-3 3 2 3 6 All year

Information gathered from various authors in Smith and Hume (1984) and personal observations.

The Common Ringtail Possum breeds between April and November. This species has four teats, in contrast with the other ringtail possums which have two. The usual litter size is two but three have been recorded (How etal. 1984). The pouch life is four months and young are weaned at 6-7 months. Offspring are sexually mature by the following breeding season.

The Herbert River Ringtail is similar in its breeding habits except for an earlier weaning time (Haffenden 1984) and a maximum of two young. Gliders Included in this group are Leadbeater's Possunn Gymnobelideus leadbeateri, the trivirgata and the four species of larger gliders, the Petauroides volans, the Yellow-bellied Glider Petaurus australis, Glider P. norfolcensis and Sugar Glider P. breviceps. With the exception of the Greater Glider which is a folivore, this group feeds on insects, , sap and other of plants and . It is not uncommon to observe the Yellow-bellied Glider and Sugar Gliders feeding from incisions in bark made by the Yellow- bellied Glider. In captivity 1 have found that both species, plus the , regularly Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/book/chapter-pdf/2644066/rzsnsw_1990_011.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021 share nestboxes when kept as a mixed group. Sugar and Squirrel Gliders are by far the most commonly kept in captivity and usually they breed readily. Introducing a new animal, male or female, into an established colony can be difficult and the new arrival should be observed closely. After a gestation period of 16 days in these species, one or two young are bom during June to November. After about 70 days, the young are left in the nest which is often communal. At this stage the young are furred and the eyes have just opened. About 30 days later, the young make excursions vwth their mother in search of food. When 7-10 months old the young may disperse from the group. The Greater Glider and Yellow-bellied Glider differ from the Sugar and Squirrel Gliders in having two teats rather than four and only have one young. Pouch life is about 3 months, then 00 the young rides on its mother's back, in the case of the Greater Glider for a further 3 months. The Yellow-bellied Glider is left in the nest for 2 months, after which time weaning takes place. Greater Gliders are weaned at about l^/z months of age. Until recently Leadbeater's Possum was thought to be extinct but was rediscovered in 1961 in Mountain Ash ( regnans) forest in the central highlands of . Some were taken into captivity and now several thriving colonies exist. There are two main breeding seasons, May-June and October-November, and litter size is usually 1-2; there are four teats available. Pouch life is 3 months and weaning takes place at 4 months. Interestingly, the mother forcibly ejects female offspring when they are about 10 months old. Male offspring are ignored and they disperse when about 15 months old (Smith 1983). The Striped Possum, found only in northem Queensland, is rarely kept in captivity. It has an elongated fourth finger with a sharp claw enabling the animal to prise insects and larvae from cavities inside tree branches torn open with its teeth. Little is known of its breeding habits, except that matings have been recorded from February to August and that the litter size is 1-2 (Van Dyck 1983).

Pygmy-possums and the Feathertail Glider There are five species of pygmy-possums, the most widespread being the Eastern Pygmy- possum Cercartetus nanus which is found from southern Queensland south along the eastern coast to and Tasmania. The Westem Pygmy-possum Cercartetus concinnus is found in southwestern Western Australia, southern South Australia and western Victoria. The Little Pygmy-possum Cercartetus lepidus was once thought to be only found in Tasmania but has since been found on Island and around the northwestern Victoria and South Australian borders. The Long-tailed Pygmy-possum Cercartetus caudatus is only found in rainforests between Townsville and Cooktown in northern Queensland. The Mountain Pygmy-possum Burramys parvus was only known from remains until it was found live at Mount Hotham, Victoria in 1966. It also occurs in a small area in Kosciusko National Park, New South Wales. Unlike the other pygmy-possums, Burramys breeds well in captivity.

1 do not know of any captive breeding in the Eastern Pygmy-possum. However, pregnant females have been caught in the wild and the growth and development of the young have been studied.

Breeding occurs between spring and autumn when up to five young are bom. The average Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/book/chapter-pdf/2644066/rzsnsw_1990_011.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021 is four. Pouch life is 2 months and the young are independent when they weigh about 8 g. During a breeding season two litters are raised. Despite being unable to breed this species, 1 have found the Eastern Pygmy-possum easy to keep in captivity, with one individual reaching an age of 8 years.

The Western Pygmy-possum breeds throughout the year and can have two or three consecutive litters. This species is known to have a long gestation period of 50 days and a maximum litter size of six. After about 3 weeks the young are left in the nest and are weaned at about 50 days, just prior to the birth of the next litter. The Mountain Pygmy-possum has only one litter per year with a maximum number of four young. Although not yet confirmed, the gestation period appears short, 14-16 days (Kerle 1984). Births occur in November in the wild but eariier births have occurred in captivity. The young grow rapidly and are left in the nest at about 3 weeks old when their eyes are still closed and their fur sparse. Their eyes open at about 40 days and the young leave the nest at 50 0 days. Weaning occurs at 2 months. Adult size is reached by 5 months of age. All the pygmy-possums feed on insects and nectar. They are often seen or trapped on the ground as well as in trees and shrubs. These animals also go into , sometimes for a few days, especially if overfed, so there is usually no cause for alarm when food is left untouched. The Feathertail Glider Acrobates pygmaeus is widespread from the tip of Cape York along the coast to southeastern South Australia. It is probably more common than sightings imply; it is often able to escape detection because of its small size and speed. Feathertail Gliders are nectivorous and several animals have been observed feeding in a single flowering tree. They have been found nesting in Telecom junction boxes, as have Eastern Pygmy-possums. In recent years, this species has been bred several times in captivity. Breeding occurs throughout the year in the northem part of its range but in the south the breeding season is from July to January (Fleming and Frey 1984). Maximum litter size is four with an average of three. Two litters per year can occur. The young are left in the nest when 60 days old. Their eyes are still closed and there is no body fur. Eyes open at 70 days. Weaning takes place when the young are about 3 months old.

Females can breed when 8-9 months old and males mature at 7^/2-12 months of age.

The Honey Possum The Honey Possum, Tarsipes rostratus is found in southwestern Western Australia and is restricted to coastal sand plain heaths. It is regarded as common in these areas and in the wild is apparently strictly a nectar feeder although in captivity they have also been fed on larvae (mealworms). It has been kept, and is easily bred, in captivity. Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/book/chapter-pdf/2644066/rzsnsw_1990_011.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021

Fig. 1. An outdoor cage for possums and gliders should be covered at one end to provide shelter. Nestboxes are ideally situated in the covered part of the cage. 8A (lop left) — The Mountain Brushtail Possum Trichosurus caninus is locally common in the wild where it feeds on leaves, fruits, fungi, insects and possibly eggs and carrion. 8B (centre left) — The Common Ringtail Possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus is a leaf, and fruit eater, common in suburban areas of Sydney and Adelaide. 8C (centre right) — The Sugar Glider Petaurus breviceps is one of Australia's best known gliders, commonly kept and easily bred in captivity. With a gliding membrane that extends from finger to toe, it can volplane for distances of 50 m. BD (bottom left) — Ttie Eastern Pygmy-possum Cercartetus nanus is the most wide- spread of five pygmy-possum species found in many parts of Australia. Often seenDownloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/book/chapter-pdf/2644066/rzsnsw_1990_011.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021 on the ground as well as in trees and shrubs, it feeds on insects and nectar. 8E (bottom right) — As its name implies, the Feathertail Glider Acrobales pygmaeus has a flattened, feather-like tail, witti a fringe of stiff hairs along each side, and gliding membrane that extends from elbow to knee. It uses its tail to volplane, steer and brake when gliding from one tree to another or to the ground. Photos: R. and A. Williams. In the wild this species breeds all year. The usual litter size is two or three with a maximum of four. Two or three litters per year are common. The young leave the pouch after 8 weeks and are fully furred with eyes open. They stay in a nest for about 2 weeks after initially riding on the mother's back for short periods. Weaning takes place at 3 months. Adult size is reached at 8 months old.

HOdSING Because of the arboreal nature of these animals, a cage with plenty of height is an

advantage (Fig. 1). This enables the inclusion of tall branches providing a nest area well off Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/book/chapter-pdf/2644066/rzsnsw_1990_011.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021 the ground. A frame made of galvanized steel pipes is recommended (Fig. 2), especially for outdoor use. If a timber frame is used, make sure that it is outside the covering wire because possums will sometimes chew the poles, especially if a soft timber is used. A recommended minimum size is 2 m^ for a single animal but, as for all animals, the rule 'the bigger the better' should apply. Some commercially built bird avaries can make excellent possum and glider cages. Wire-netting or chainmesh can be used to cover the cage. When choosing the mesh size take into account possible predators or problem animals such as pythons and rats. It may be just as important to keep these out as keep the possums in. Fabric mesh with a hole size of 1.2 cm^ is a useful size for Sugar Gliders through to the larger species. Outdoor cages will need protection from adverse weather conditions; at least part of the 03 roof and one wall needs to be covered with solid panelling. The cage should be sited with the direction of prevailing winter winds in mind. Recent legislation in New South Wales requires that nocturnal animals kept for public display be housed in nocturnal houses. In these, reversed lighting is used so that animals are active during peak visiting times. Recommended cage sizes and other information is also provided by government agencies. Possums kept for research purposes have been housed in modified cages. These cages are not suitable for keeping animals over long periods. Modifications should include a wooden shelf and a nestbox.

Nestboxes A choice of nestboxes should be offered when possums and gliders are kept in groups. A hollow log with a capped end and/or a box constructed with appropriately-sized entrance holes can be used. These should be firmly attached to the side of the cage or on branches and be well off the ground. Metal nestboxes are not recommended. While they might be easy to clean, they are cold in winter and hot in summer. Nestboxes and wooden feeding platforms should be positioned in the protected area of outdoor cages (Fig. 3).

Cage Decoration Doorways, feeding platforms and nestboxes should be positioned with easy access in mind.

Being arboreal, these animals need logs and branches. Branches from rough or fibrous barked trees (e.g., stringybarks) are best. These provide easy grip for the animals and the bark can be used for nesting material by the more industrious inmates. Branches should be replaced or cleaned when necessary. Fresh branches from trees and shrubs, which if stored Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/book/chapter-pdf/2644066/rzsnsw_1990_011.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021

Fig. 2. This possum cage at Cowan Field Station has been constructed from pipe and wire netting. Rough-barlted logs are provided for climbing and leaves are kept fresh by standing them in water. in water will keep at least a week, make a big difference to cage appearance and, if carefully chosen, can provide an additional food source in the form of leaves or flowers. Concrete floors are ideal because they can be hosed out regularly. A layer of pine bark or soil may be used, but cleaning is then more difficult. Shavings can be used to absorb urine and faeces and these can be easily swept up prior to hosing.

Housing for F>ygmy-possums and Feathertafl Gliders Because of their small size, these species can be kept in aquaria or small, wooden enclosures. A cage 1 m^ is ideal for a small colony. Fine wire-meshing should be used for ventilation and doors, and lids must be close fitting. Feathertail Gliders are very agile, can Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/book/chapter-pdf/2644066/rzsnsw_1990_011.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021 climb glass and squeeze through very small holes. Small nestboxes or small, hollow logs should be provided.

DIETS 1 have kept several species of possums and gliders for long periods on a basic diet of fruit and vegetables. The composition varies throughout the year and depends on the avail- ability and cost of produce from fruit markets. The main components of the diet are apples, carrots and bananas; pears, sweet potatoes, oranges, melons, cucumbers and tropical fruits are also often used. Greens in the form of lettuce and spinach are offered, especially to the possums. Other items regularly given are bread (preferably wholemeal), kibble and Kanga- roo Cubes (see chapter by Williams on ). The following is a suggested diet for a single adult brushtail possum: medium-sized apple medium-sized pear medium-sized banana 10 slices carrot and/or sweet potato slice bread 1 or 2 lettuce or spinach leaves Small handful of dry dog kibble and Kangaroo Cubes. This amount will need to be adjusted to meet the demands of the individual and regular weighing should be practised especially for the first few weeks in captivity. If animals lose condition, powdered milk can be sprinkled on the food to increase the protein content of the diet

ADDITIONAL DIETS Ringtail Possums Being folivores, leaves should be offered as well as the fruit and vegetables. Note that an adult Common Ringtail eats about half the amount listed for the Common Brushtail. In the Sydney region, I have found that the only eucalypt favoured by the Common Ringtail is the Sydney Peppermint Eucalyptus piperita. and Melaleucas are also eaten. Flowers of Grew/tea and other shrubs are readily consumed.

Gliders and Pygmy-possums Apart from feeding fruit, vegetables and dog kibble on a daily basis, a sweetened milk mixture is fed every other day. This consists of sweetened condensed milk diluted with water at a ratio of 1:10.1 also add a teaspoon of honey or glucose per 250 ml milk mixture. Different mixtures simulating the nectar part of the diet have been used in other captive populations. The Leadbeater's Possum mixture described below is commonly used in zoo populations. With all these mixtures care should be taken not to overfeed because some animals tend to become obese. Milk mixtures are best presented in feeding tubes or bottles, especially for pygmy- possums and Feathertail Gliders. If they are fed in an open dish these small species tend to become covered with the mixture, making the fur sticky and matted. The end result is often death. Feathertail Gliders, being predominantly nectivores, should be fed nectar mixture daily. Small amounts of fruit and vegetables should be offered but may be ignored by some individuals. Insects in the form of mealworms, fly pupae, grasshoppers, crickets and cockroaches are readily eaten by species of Petaurus and pygmy-possums. Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/book/chapter-pdf/2644066/rzsnsw_1990_011.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021 Greater Gliders are folivores so a range of eucalypt leaves from known food species (such as E. globoidea, E. radiata, E. fastigata, E. pilularis, E. saligna and £. obliqua) should be offered. They will eat some fruit and vegetables but this species has been notoriously difficult to keep in captivity for long periods.

Leadbeater's Possum Mix The following mixture is fed to Leadbeater's Possums at Taronga Zoo, Sydney. 900 ml warm water 900 ml honey 150 g high protein baby cereal 6 teaspoons Sustagen 06 6 hard-boiled eggs

Fig. 3. The Common Ringtail Possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus uses one of several nestboxes provided. Note that for possums and gliders, nextboxes and wire food trays (foreground) should be positioned well off the ground. This makes 2 litres of mixture. The honey and warm water are mixed together first and then the other ingredients are added and placed in a blender. This can then be stored for up to 2 weeks in a refrigerator. Each animal is given 30 ml of mixture per day.

HANDUNG Large species, particularly brushtail possums, can be difficult to handle. If confined in a small cage or nestbox, animals can be transferred into a sack or pillowcase by grasping the tail through the bottom of the bag which is then pulled back over the animal. Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/book/chapter-pdf/2644066/rzsnsw_1990_011.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021 Another method, particularly useful for gliders is to quickly cover the animal with a towel, wrap it up and then carefully transfer it to a cloth bag.

The use of nestboxes or logs with removable lids makes it easier to transfer the animal into a cloth bag. Inspection can then be made by exposing the appropriate part of the body.

Some of the species of Petaurus can be aggressive and memorable biters if startled. Care should be taken to gently restrain the head if they are handled infrequently.

PROBLEMS AND DISEASES 1 have encountered few diseases in possums and gliders. The most common problem has been stress (sometimes followed by death) when young animals have been attacked by a dominant male. Ringtail possums are easily stressed. Hand-reared animals can be a problem; males can 07 become aggressive and some animals refuse to feed after a change of cage.

1 have found wild Common Brushtail Possums suffering from extreme cases of lumbo- sacral dermatitis. These animals are found sleeping on the ground and are invariably adult males. The rump and hind legs are often naked and the skin covered with scabs and sores. Depending on the severity of the infection these animals are usually destroyed. It is thought to be associated with social stress and the dermatitis appears to be caused by parasites such as and (G. Reddacliff, pers. comm.; see also the chapter by Reddacliff and Spielman on diseases and parasites).

Many diseases, particularly those associated with endo- and ectoparasites, have been listed for brushtail and ringtail possums (e.g., Presidente 1982, 1984; Speare et al. 1984)

Presidente (1984) reports 18 species of mites, 11 species of and 10 species of from T. vulpecula and T. caninus. He also mentions a coccidium Eimeria sp. which appears to be non-pathenogenic, and toxoplasmosis has been reported in urban possums. Tapeworms, flukes and roundworms appear to be common. Bacterial infections encountered include salmonellosis, yersiniosis, staphylococcus and streptococcus. Of more concern is that Common Brushtail Possums have been recorded as carriers of leptospirosis, a zoonotic disease. Also tuberculosis has been recorded in captive animals but has not yet been found in wild populations in Australia, although infected animals have been found in feral populations in New Zealand where there is a concern that they are reservoirs for cattle tuberculosis.

REFERENCES

EVANS, D. D. (ed), 1982. "The Management of Australian in Captivity". Zoological Board of Victoria, Melbourne. FLZMING, M. R. AMD FREY, H., 1984. Aspects of the natural history of Feathertail Gliders (Acrobates pygmaeus). Pp. 403-408 in "Possums and Gliders" ed by A. P. Smith and I. D. Hume. Surrey Beatty & Sons and Australian Society, Sydney.

HAFFEMDEM, A., 1984. Breeding, growth and development in the Herbert River Ringtail Possum Pseudocheinis herbertensis herbertensis (Marsupialia: ). Pp. 277-81 in "Possums and Gliders" ed by A. P. Smith and 1. D. Hume. Surrey Beatty & Sons and Australian Mammal Society, Sydney.

How, R. A., BARNETT, J. L., BRADLEY, A. J., HUMPHREYS, W. F. AND MARTIM, R., 1984. The population biology of Pseudocheinis peregrinus in a Leptospermum levigatum thicket Pp. 261-68 in "Possums and Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/book/chapter-pdf/2644066/rzsnsw_1990_011.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021 Gliders" ed by A. P. Smith and 1. D. Hume. Surrey Beatty & Sons and Australian Mammal Society, Sydney.

KERLE, J. A., 1984. Growth and development of Burramys parvus in captivity. Pp. 409-12 in "Possums and Gliders" ed. by A. P. Smith and 1. D. Hume. Surrey Beatty & Sons and Australian Mammal Society, Sydney.

PRESIDENTE, P. J. A., 1982. Common Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula-. Maintenance in captivity, blood values, diseases and parasites. Pp. 55-66 in "The Management of Australian Mammals in Captivity" ed by D. D. Evans. Zoological Board of Victoria, Melbourne.

PRESIDENTE, P. J. A, 1982. Common Ringtail Possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus: Maintenance in captivity, blood values and diseases. Pp. 75-81 in "The Management of Australian Mammals in Captivity" ed

I. -til by D. D. Evans. Zoological Board of Victoria, Melbourne.

PRESIDENTE, P. J. A., 1984. Parasites and diseases of brushtail possums (Trichosurus spp.): Occurrence 08 and significance. Pp. 171-90 in "Possums and Gliders" ed by A. P. Smith and 1. D. Hume. Surrey Beatty & Sons and Australian Mammal Society, Sydney.

RENFREE, M. B., RUSSELL, E. M. AND WOOLLER, R. D., 1984. The Honey Possum Tarsipes rostratus. Pp. 427-37 in "Possums and Gliders" ed by A. P. Smith and I. D. Hume. Surrey Beatty & Sons and Australian Mammal Society, Sydney.

SMTTH, A., 1983. Leadbeater's Possum Gymnobelideus leadbeateri. Pp. 142-43 in "The Complete Book of Australian Mammals" ed by R. Strahan. Angus & Robertson, Sydney.

SMITH, A. P. AND HOME, 1. D. (eds), 1984. "Possums and Gliders". Surrey Beatty & Sons and Australian Mammal Society, Sydney.

SPEARE, R., HAFFENDEN, A. T., DANIELS, P. W., THOMAS, A. D. AND SEAWRIGHT, C. D., 1984. Diseases of the Herbert River Ringtail, Pseudocheirus herbertensis, and other North Queensland rainforest possums. Pp. 283-302 in "Possums and Gliders" ed by A. P. Smith and 1. D. Hume. Surrey Beatty & Sons and Australian Mammal Society, Sydney.

STRAHAN, R., 1983. "The Complete Book of Australian Mammals". Angus & Robertson, Sydney.

VAN DYCK, S. M., 1983. Striped Possum Dactylopsila trivirgata. Pp. 144-45 in "The Complete Book of Australian Mammals" ed by R. Strahan. Angus & Robertson, Sydney.

WALTON, D. W. AND RICHARDSON, B. J., 1989. ". Vol. IB. Mammalia". Australian Govern- ment Printing Service, Canberra.

WINTER, J. W., 1983. Grey Cuscus Phalanger orientalis. Pp. 156-76 in "The Complete Book of Australian Mammals" ed by R. Strahan. Angus & Robertson, Sydney.