Possums

​​​​​Possums

The Australian possums were so named because of their supposed similarity to the opossums of South America. In fact, the two groups are not closely related apart from both being aboreal (tree-dwelling) marsupials. Indeed, some old-timers still refer to these animals as opossums and Opossum Bay, an outer suburb of Hobart, takes its name from the misnomer. 

Scientific names:

​Tasmania is home to five species of possum:​

• Common ringtail possum - Pseudocheirus peregrinus
• Sugar glider - Petaurus breviceps (introduced)
• Brushtail possum - Trichosurus vulpecula
• Eastern pygmy possum - Cercartetus nanus
• Little pygmy possum - Cercar​tetus lepidus

Where can I see them?

• Freycinet National Park​
  
• Maria Island National Park
  
• Mount Field National Park​​
• Mount William National Park
  
• Tasman National Park​