The possum is one of the biggest threats to our all-natural setting.
Description
The popular brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, is endemic to Australia and was to start with introduced to New Zealand from Australia in 1837 to ascertain a fur trade. This launch was unsuccessful and also a second release in 1858 at precisely the same Southland location was demanded for them to establish.
The brushtail possum may be mis-named being an opossum, Didelphis sp., and that is an American animal not current in New Zealand.
The possum includes a thick, bushy tail, thick physique fur, a pointed snout and large, pointed ears. There are 2 colour kinds of the species - grey and black, with numerous versions in visual appeal. Possums website can stroll, leap and sure and its prehensile tail will help it shift about tree branches.
the scale and body weight of possums varies across New Zealand. generally, Grownup possums are sixty five to ninety five cm very long and weigh one.four to six.four kg.
Possums are nocturnal and can Dwell everywhere in which There may be shelter and a varied meals source. They may be now prevalent across most of New Zealand. the primary habitat is forest, and possum densities can be particularly large in podocarp-broadleaf forests. Margins where by forest fulfills pasture will also be well known habitat and assist really dense populations.
The menace
Possums have a major impact on a lot of New Zealand’s pure ecosystems. They happen in high figures and their own predators, which include feral cats, do not have Substantially effect on managing possum inhabitants dimension.
Leaves are the most crucial element of their eating plan, but possums are opportunistic omnivores, and eat indigenous birds as well as their eggs, land snails for example Powelliphanta and as invertebrates which includes weta. They take in buds, flowers, fruit/berries and nectar, meaning they contend with indigenous birds and reptiles for meals resources. The growth and existence-cycle of the tree or plant is substantially impacted when all portions of it are eaten. Possums also have ‘favourites’ which include rātā or kamahi trees, bringing about an excellent higher effect on these species.
Possums usually occupy holes in tree trunks for their nests which would in any other case be used by nesting birds for example kākāriki and saddlebacks.
Dairy and deer farmers possess the included fret of possums spreading bovine tuberculosis. The value of financial decline in Principal production for hurt and control of possums is inside the tens of tens of millions.
proof displays stoats and possums are ingesting kea. scientists making use of nest-cameras have witnessed the gruesome actuality within defenceless kea nests invaded by stoats and possums in South Westland.
You can help to control possums
standard predator Manage will help to manage possum quantities and get us closer towards the Predator no cost 2050 objective.
DOC's get the job done
DOC is billed Along with the care of New Zealand's indigenous plants and wildlife. The survival of total ecosystems is impacted through the possum.
We are one of many several agencies that take care of possum Manage - other businesses involve OSPRI, regional councils along with the Ministry for Major Industries.
DOC commits means to possum Manage at precedence web sites to make certain extensive-expression survival of species as well as the ecosystems that aid them.