Western Ringtail Possum

Copy Link

Western Ringtail Possum Description This possum has dark-brown fur on top with a cream or grey chest and stomach. Western Ringtail Possums have short, rounded ears, and a strong prehensile tail which is 30–35 cm long. Fast Facts Diet Western Ringtail Possums are herbivores and feed on eucalypt, marri and peppermint tree leaves, buds, blossoms and soft fruit. In the wild Western Ringtail Possums are nocturnal and sleep in leafy nests in tree-holes Pseudocheirus occidentalis Scientific Name: during the day. They are fairly sociable and share home ranges and nests. Conservation Status: Vulnerable The actual gestation period of Western Ringtail Possums is not known. Births Extinct Threatened Least Concern mostly take place in winter. Young emerge at about three months and suckle until six to seven months. EX EW CR EN VU NT LC Threats Body Length: 30–35 cm Habitat destruction and predation by feral cats and foxes are threats to the Western Ringtail Possum population. Weight: 900–1100 g At Perth Zoo Gestation: unknown The Nocturnal House is home to Perth Zoo’s Western Ringtail Possums. Number of young: 1 Join the Perth Zoo-coordinated Night Stalk from 1 September to 16 October and spotlight for native animals in your local bushland. Night Stalk is a great way to Habitat: Peppermint or eucalypt forests become involved in community conservation action and to learn about our native animals, their habitat and their threats. Night Stalk is sponsored by Tronox. Distribution: South-west Western Australia DID YOU KNOW? The Possums long, thin, grasping tail helps it move through the forest and is also used to carry twigs and leaves to build its nest. Distribution.

Recommended publications

Western Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus Occidentalis) Recovery Plan

Western Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) Recovery Plan Wildlife Management Program No. 58 Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife October 2014 Wildlife Management Program No. 58 Western Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) Recovery Plan October 2014 Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, Western Australia 6983 Foreword Recovery plans are developed within the framework laid down in Department of Parks and Wildlife Policy Statements Nos. 44 and 50 (CALM 1992, 1994), and the Australian Government Department of the Environment’s Recovery Planning Compliance Checklist for Legislative and Process Requirements (DEWHA 2008). Recovery plans outline the recovery actions that are needed to urgently address those threatening processes most affecting the ongoing survival of threatened taxa or ecological communities, and begin the recovery process. Recovery plans are a partnership between the Department of the Environment and the Department of Parks and Wildlife. The Department of Parks and Wildlife acknowledges the role of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the Department of the Environment in guiding the implementation of this recovery plan. The attainment of objectives and the provision of funds necessary to implement actions are subject to budgetary and other constraints affecting the parties involved, as well as the need to address other priorities. This recovery plan was approved by the Department of Parks and Wildlife, Western Australia. Approved recovery plans are subject to modification as dictated by new findings, changes in status of the taxon or ecological community, and the completion of recovery actions. Information in this recovery plan was accurate as of October 2014.
The Western Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus Occidentalis)

A major road and an artificial waterway are barriers to the rapidly declining western ringtail possum, Pseudocheirus occidentalis Kaori Yokochi BSc. (Hons.) This thesis is presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of The University of Western Australia School of Animal Biology Faculty of Science October 2015 Abstract Roads are known to pose negative impacts on wildlife by causing direct mortality, habitat destruction and habitat fragmentation. Other kinds of artificial linear structures, such as railways, powerline corridors and artificial waterways, have the potential to cause similar negative impacts. However, their impacts have been rarely studied, especially on arboreal species even though these animals are thought to be highly vulnerable to the effects of habitat fragmentation due to their fidelity to canopies. In this thesis, I studied the effects of a major road and an artificial waterway on movements and genetics of an endangered arboreal species, the western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis). Despite their endangered status and recent dramatic decline, not a lot is known about this species mainly because of the difficulties in capturing them. Using a specially designed dart gun, I captured and radio tracked possums over three consecutive years to study their movement and survival along Caves Road and an artificial waterway near Busselton, Western Australia. I studied the home ranges, dispersal pattern, genetic diversity and survival, and performed population viability analyses on a population with one of the highest known densities of P. occidentalis. I also carried out simulations to investigate the consequences of removing the main causes of mortality in radio collared adults, fox predation and road mortality, in order to identify effective management options.
Landcorp Denmark East Development Precinct Flora and Fauna Survey

LandCorp Denmark East Development Precinct Flora and Fauna Survey October 2016 Executive summary Introduction Through the Royalties for Regions “Growing our South” initiative, the Shire of Denmark has received funding to provide a second crossing of the Denmark River, to upgrade approximately 6.5 km of local roads and to support the delivery of an industrial estate adjacent to McIntosh Road. GHD Pty Ltd (GHD) was commissioned by LandCorp to undertake a biological assessment of the project survey area. The purpose of the assessment was to identify and describe flora, vegetation and fauna within the survey area. The outcomes of the assessment will be used in the environmental assessment and approvals process and will identify the possible need for, and scope of, further field investigations will inform environmental impact assessment of the road upgrades. The survey area is approximately 68.5 ha in area and includes a broad area of land between Scotsdale Road and the Denmark River and the road reserve and adjacent land along East River Road and McIntosh Road between the Denmark Mt Barker Road and South Western Highway. A 200 m section north and south along the Denmark Mt Barker Road from East River Road was also surveyed. The biological assessment involved a desktop review and three separate field surveys, including a winter flora and fauna survey, spring flora and fauna survey and spring nocturnal fauna survey. Fauna surveys also included the use of movement sensitive cameras in key locations. Key biological aspects The key biological aspects and constraints identified for the survey area are summarised in the following table.
Checklist of the Mammals of Western Australia

Records ofthe Western Australian Museum Supplement No. 63: 91-98 (2001). Checklist of the mammals of Western Australia R.A. How, N.K. Cooper and J.L. Bannister Western Australian Museum, Francis Street, Perth, Western Australia 6000, Australia INTRODUCTION continued collection of species across their range. The Checklist ofthe Mammals ofWestern Australia is Where the level of taxonomic uncertainty is being a collation of the most recent systematic information formally resolved, footnotes to the individual taxon on Western Australian mammal taxa, incorporating appear at the end of the family listings. the list of taxa compiled from the Western Numerous taxa have become extinct on a national Australian Museum's mammal database and the or state level since European settlement and there literature. The Checklist presents the nomenclature have been several recent attempts to reintroduce accepted by the Western Australian Museum in regionally extinct taxa to former areas. The present maintaining the state's mammal collection and status of these taxa is indicated by symbols in the database. Listed are those species probably extant Checklist. at the time of arrival of Europeans to Western Australia. Symbols used Nomenclature, in general, follows the Zoological t Denotes extinct taxon. Catalogue ofAustralia, Volume 5, Mammalia (1988). * Denotes taxon extinct in Western Australia but Consideration has been given to the nomenclatural extant in other parts of Australia. decisions in The 1996 Action Plan of Australian $ Denotes taxon extinct on Western Australian Marsupials and Monotremes (Maxwell, Burbidge and mainland and recently reintroduced from other Morris, 1996) and The Action Plan for Australian Bats parts of Australia or translocated from islands (Reardon, 1999a).
Western Ringtail Possum Factsheet on Arkive - Pseudocheirus Occidentalis

Western ringtail possum factsheet on ARKive - Pseudocheirus occidentalis Western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) Also known as: Western ringtail Synonyms: Pseudocheirus peregrinus Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Diprotodontia Family Pseudocheiridae Genus Pseudocheirus (1) Size Head-body length: 30 - 40 cm (2) Tail length: 30 - 40 cm (2) Weight up to 1.3 kg (3) Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1). The western ringtail possum has thick, woolly, grey fur intermingled with dark brown to black fur on its upperparts, and creamy grey fur on its underside. It has a long, thin, prehensile tail terminating in a white tip, which it uses to help it move through the forest, as well as to carry twigs and leaves to build its nest (2). The ears are small and round with white patches of fur behind them (3). There is little difference between the male and female of this species (4). http://www.arkive.org/western-ringtail-possum/pseudocheirus-occidentalis/factsheet[6 Feb 2012 12:06:56] Western ringtail possum factsheet on ARKive - Pseudocheirus occidentalis The western ringtail possum occupies a very small range in the south-western corner of Western Australia. It is restricted to coastal areas of peppermint woodland from south of Mandurah to the Waychinicup National Park, and to suitable patches of inland habitat, such as Perup Nature Reserve and the surrounding forest (1) (5). The western ringtail possum is arboreal, meaning it spends the majority of its time in trees. Along the coast it is found in peppermint (Agonis flexuosa) and tuart (a eucalyptus) forest and woodland.
Ensuring the Long-Term Survival of the Endangered Western Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus Occidentalis) in the Shire of Augusta

1 Ensuring the long-term survival of the Endangered Western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) in the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River: The impact of recent fires and the threat of future fires Background The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River established a Biodiversity Working Party within its Sustainability Advisory Committee (SAC) in 2008 and accepted its first recommendations that: 1. The Shire initiate an upgrade survey of peppermint woodlands likely to provide suitable habitat for Western Ringtail possums 2. The Shire seek external funding to engage a biological consultant to survey remnant Western Ringtail populations. The survey should also enlist the help of ratepayers through the distribution of a questionnaire to collect evidence of sightings, road-kills, dreys (nests) and scats (droppings). 3. The Shire initiate a signage policy designed to increase the public’s awareness of an endangered marsupial species in its midst1. Although two applications have been made to the State Government for funding via its Community Grants Scheme, neither was successful. In 2015 $10k remaining in the Environment Management Fund were reallocated for a public 1 Shire of Augusta–Margaret River Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, Discussion paper Prepared by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River, 23 May 2005 2 awareness programme involving signage, brochures and other means of alerting ratepayers to the plight of ringtail possums. Biology of Western Ringtail Possums The Western ringtail possum, (Pseudocheirus occidentalus) is now listed as “Endangered” under the Federal EPBC Act, a change from its former listing as “Vulnerable” in the 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and “Threatened” under the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act2.
Western Ringtail Possum Survey & Black Cockatoo Habitat

Western Ringtail Possum Survey & Black Cockatoo Habitat Assessment of Sabina Vale Loc 3819 (Sussex Land District) Wonnerup APRIL 2013 Version 1 On behalf of: Cristal Mining Australia Limited Incorporating Cable Sands (WA) Pty Ltd PO Box 133 Bunbury WA 6231 Prepared by: Greg Harewood B.Sc. A.B.N. 95 536 627 336 PO Box 755 BUNBURY WA 6231 M: 0402 141 197 T/F: (08) 9725 0982 E: [email protected] SABINA VALE - LOT 3819 - WONNERUP – WRP AND BLACK COCKATOO ASSESSMENT – APRIL 2013 – V1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 1 2. SCOPE OF WORKS & METHODS ................................................................. 1 2.1 WESTERN RINGTAIL POSSUM SURVEY..................................................... 2 2.2 BLACK COCKATOO HABITAT ASSESSMENT ............................................. 2 3. PREVIOUS SURVEYS..................................................................................... 3 4. SURVEY CONSTRAINTS................................................................................ 5 5. RESULTS ......................................................................................................... 6 5.1 WESTERN RINGTAIL POSSUM ASSESSMENT........................................... 6 5.2 BLACK COCKATOO HABITAT ASSESSMENT ............................................. 6 6. CONCLUSION.................................................................................................. 8 7. BIBLIOGRAPHY..............................................................................................
Western Ringtail Possum

Western Ringtail Possum Pseudocheirus 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.
Estimating Western Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus Occidentalis) Density Using Distance Sampling

CSIRO PUBLISHING Research Note www.publish.csiro.au/journals/am Australian Mammalogy, 2010, 32, 197–200 Estimating western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) density using distance sampling G. R. Finlayson A,B,E, A. N. Diment B, P. Mitrovski A, G. G. Thompson C,D and S. A. Thompson A,D ACoffey Environments, Suite 2, 53 Burswood Road, Burswood, WA 6100, Australia. BInstitute of Wildlife Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. CCentre for Ecosystem Management, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia. DTerrestrial Ecosystems, 10 Houston Place, Mount Claremont, WA 6010, Australia. ECorresponding author. Email: graeme_ﬁ[email protected] Abstract. A reliable estimate of population size is of paramount importance for making management decisions on species of conservation signiﬁcance that may be impacted during development. The western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) is regularly encountered during urban development and is the subject of numerous surveys to estimate its abundance. A variety of techniques have been used for this species with mixed results. This paper reports on a case study using distance sampling to estimate density of P. occidentalis in a small habitat remnant near Busselton, Western Australia. Density estimates obtained were within the range of previous studies of this species and we suggest that this technique should be employed in future surveys to improve the accuracy of population estimates for this species before development. Introduction The western ringtail possum has been the subject of a suite of Density estimates of wildlife populations are important for surveys in the past 10 years (e.g. Elscot and Bamford 2003; Jones management and conservation efforts, particularly for threatened et al.
The Western Ringtail Possum, Pseudocheirus Occidentalis, and the Quokka, Setonix Brachyurus, Case Studies: Western Shield Review—February 2003

TheConservation western ringtail Science possum, W. Aust. Pseudocheirus 5 (2) : 235–257 occidentalis (2004) , and the quokka, Setonix brachyurus 235 The western ringtail possum, Pseudocheirus occidentalis, and the quokka, Setonix brachyurus, case studies: Western Shield review—February 2003 PAUL J. DE TORES 1, 2, MATTHEW W. HAYWARD 3, 4, 5 AND SUZANNE M. ROSIER 1 1Department of Conservation and Land Management, Wildlife Research Centre, PO Box 51 Wanneroo, Western Australia, 6946. 2 To whom correspondence should be addressed. [email protected] 3 Department of Conservation and Land Management, Dwellingup Research Centre, Dwellingup, Western Australia, 6946. 4 School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052 5 Current address: Addo Predator Re-introduction Project, Terrestrial Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Port Elizabeth, PO Box 1600, Port Elizabeth 6013, South Africa. ABSTRACT using fire as a tool to create the preferred structural habitat mosaic, is recommended. Case studies are presented for the western ringtail possum, Both case studies highlight the need to review data Pseudocheirus occidentalis, and the quokka, Setonix collection, collation, analyses and reporting processes to brachyurus. The ringtail case study summarises ensure data are collected in a manner to allow objective information from a recent review of the species’ analyses and scrutiny. Under this proposed scenario, any distribution and conservation status, collates information conservation gains can be quantified and documented. on ringtail populations within the areas covered by the Conversely, in circumstances where desired outcomes have Department of Conservation and Land Management’s not been met, the failure to meet set goals can be identified (CALM) fauna recovery program, Western Shield, and and mechanisms can be implemented to improve draws extensively on the recent findings from translocation conservation management.
Possums – Sonya Stanvic

PossumSJuvenileJuvenileJuvenile tototo AdultAdultAdult Revised May 2006 Dear Wildlife Carers Some people can put their thoughts and observations to paper very easily; I am not one of those people. I have to be pushed or in the mood and I must say my passion has thinned these last few years. Perhaps it’s because most of the possums who shared our land and I knew so well perished during the 2000 bush fires. We did manage to save a few burnt animals; A Greater glider, two Ringtails and a couple of Brushtail possums which made their way to the house area seeking water from the pond a day or so af- ter the fire. We consider ourselves lucky as we managed to save our home unlike some residents who lost everything. Many old hollow bearing trees (widow makers they call them) are just waiting to drop as they never recuperated from the fire and the lack of rain. There was no understory for such a long time. But, the bush is slowly coming back, thanks to the recent rains. Maybe that’s why I decided to get involved with Bush Regeneration in my area. I have always had an interest in native plants especially trees but viewed plants as a means of ‘fodder’ or shelter for wildlife. I also noticed after the fire that the little green that did come back quickly amongst the black charred bush, were weeds! So if you have some spare time, check out your local council for a listing of Bush Regeneration groups in your area and give them a hand.
Western Ringtail Possums Regional Surveys

FACT SHEET DECEMBER 2020 Western Ringtail Possums Regional Surveys Images courtesy of G Harewood and Biota Environmental Sciences In 2019, as part of The surveys were recognised in Main Roads Environment team recognised development for Bunbury December 2020 by the Institute of Public a gap in the information available for Administration Australia (WA), winning the population and location of Western Outer Ring Road (BORR) its award for Best Practice in Social Ringtail Possums in the region. The team project, Main Roads Corporate Values. spearheaded a campaign to conduct a made the decision to Western Ringtail Possum Regional Survey expand its environmental Background Project beyond the scope of the BORR Western Ringtail Possums are only found project to include the entire South West investigations, beyond in the south west of Western Australia. and Great Southern regions, from Lake the project scope and in Threats to Western Ringtail Possum Clifton to Albany. turn, provide an invaluable include habitat loss and fragmentation The lack of reliable information on resource for environmental from development, introduced predators, Western Ringtail Possum populations climate change, fire and logging. managers, regulators, has been a key impediment to the universities, researchers and In 2017, the International Union for development of effective conservation Conservation of Nature assessed the efforts to protect the animal. environmental groups across conservation status of the species as Australia and the world, “critically endangered”- a step away The Surveys working to protect the future from “extinct”. In May 2018, the Federal Between August 2018 and August 2019, of the Western Ringtail Department of Agriculture, Water and Main Roads Environment worked with the Environment also listed the species as consultancy Biota Environmental Sciences Possum.