Western Ringtail Possum occidentalis (Thomas, 1888) Habitat Size The western ringtail possum was once located in a variety of habitats including, coastal peppermint, coastal peppermint/tuart, jarrah/marri Head and body length: associations, sheoak woodland, eucalypt woodland and mallee. 300-400mm Current populations inhabit coastal peppermint/tuart associations Tail length: from Bunbury to Albany, and in eucalypt forest near Manjimup. The highest density of western ringtail possums is found on the southern 300-410mm Swan Coastal Plain near Busselton, in habitats with dense, relatively lush vegetation. The Upper Warren area east of Manjimup is the only Weight place the western ringtail possum currently survives in the absence of peppermint trees. 700-1300g for males Western ringtail possums build nests or dreys in low shrub thickets, 750-1200g for females sedges, rushes, grass trees, and within various tree canopies. They have also been recorded nesting in tree hollows, when they are Subspecies available. None recognised. Photo © Adrian Wayne Behaviour

The western ringtail possum is a highly arboreal nocturnal species that feeds; rests and socialises in tree canopies and is rarely seen on Description the ground. Dreys are the usual daytime rest site, but they have also Western ringtail possums are usually very dark brown above, been recorded resting in eucalypt and peppermint hollows. Adults will however are occasionally dark grey, with cream or grey fur below. usually rest alone and will occupy three to eight different nest sites Their ears are short and rounded. Their tail is long, slender, creamy (dreys or hollow trees) in the course of a year. Social activities occur white-tipped and strongly prehensile. at night, primarily by the investigation of scent trails on tree limbs (marked with urine) and from males visiting adjacent female home Distribution ranges. The western ringtail possum has a relatively small and stable home Historically western ringtail possum were widely distributed range (area of occupancy). In dense, coastal peppermint forest, throughout the south-western forests of , extending home ranges are about 0.5-1.5 ha and in eucalypt forests about 2.5 to south-east of and the southern edge of the Nullarbor ha. In contrast, in the northern jarrah forests, home ranges are larger Plain. and have been recorded to be at least 5.6 ha. Adjacent home ranges Their current distribution is patchy and largely restricted to near overlap as much as 70%. coastal areas of peppermint woodland and peppermint/tuart associations from the Australind/Eaton area to the Waychinicup Diet National Park, east of Albany, and in the southern forest near Manjimup. An important population of western ringtail possums occur The diet of western ringtail possums is variable. Peppermint (Agonis in and around the Busselton town site. flexuosa) leaves form the basis of their diet in coastal areas, but when unavailable jarrah () and marri (Corymbia The western ringtail possum has been re-established in the calophylla) are the main food source. In urban areas such as Leschenault Conservation Park, Yalgorup National Park, Lane-Poole Bunbury and Busselton, western ringtail possums will often feed on a Reserve, Karakamia Sanctuary and Perup Sanctuary. variety of garden species including rose flowers and leaves and a For further information regarding the distribution of this species variety of cultivated fruits. please refer to http://naturemap.dpaw.wa.gov.au/

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Fauna profiles Western Ringtail Possum

Breeding Most western ringtail possums will give birth in winter, but some populations are capably of breeding throughout the year. Young Additional reading emerge from the pouch at approximately three months when they Department of Parks and Wildlife (2014). Western Ringtail weigh roughly 125g and will suckle until they are 6-7 months old and Possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) Recovery Plan. Wildlife weighing roughly 550g. Litter sizes are usually only one, however Management Program No. 58. Department of Parks and Wildlife, litters of two or three young are not uncommon. Perth, WA. Threatening processes de Tores, P.J. (2008). Western Ringtail Possum. In Van Dyck, S. and R. Strahan (Eds.) The of Australia. Reed New The major factors thought to be contributing to the decline of the Holland. Sydney. western ringtail possums include habitat fragmentation, predation by Department of the Environment (2015). Pseudocheirus introduced predators, and changing fire regimes. The main predators occidentalis in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of of the western ringtail possums are introduced foxes, feral cats and the Environment, Canberra. Available from: carpet pythons. Clearing of coastal peppermint vegetation throughout http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat their range is contributing to fragmentation of areas of suitable habitat, with the reduction in continuous tree canopy cover forcing Morris, K., Burbidge, A. & Friend, T. 2008. Pseudocheirus the possums to the ground when moving between trees, which occidentalis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version increases their exposure to predators. Prescribed burning of suitable 2014.3. Available from: www.iucnredlist.org habitat needs to be managed to maximize population survival and enhancement.

Conservation status Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 Specially Protected - Threatened Schedule 1 – Fauna that is rare or is likely to become extinct (Ranked as Endangered) Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Vulnerable IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Vulnerable (Version 3.1)

Management in Western Australia A recovery plan has been prepared for this species. The main objectives for the recovery of the western ringtail possum include:  to retain and effectively manage habitat critical for the survival of western ringtail possums,  to limit the impact of threatening processes that impact the ongoing viability of western ringtail possums, and  to increase the recognition of the status of the western ringtail possum and support towards its conservation.

Photo © Adrian Wayne

Further information Contact your local office of the Department of Parks and Wildlife See the department’s website for the latest information: www.dpaw.wa.gov.au Disclaimer: This publication may be of assistance to you but the Government of Western Australia and its officers do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication Last updated 11/03/2015 page 2