The Possum in Mornington Peninsula

INTRO: We’ve been in Australia for over two years now and we’re still blown away by the sheer variety and uniqueness of the wild animals and birds that we come across whenever we venture outdoors. It is simply magical. Allow me to share some of them with you, captured by our very own camera lens. As you can tell, they do love to pose.

#3 The Common Ring Tail Possum

The phrase 'Hello Possums' may well make you come over in a cold sweat at the mere thought of the dreadful Dame Edna Everage TV show from the eighties, but here's hoping that this rather cute photo will reassure you that a Possum is in fact one of Australia's most common marsupials. As their name implies they are found in plentiful supply in Eastern Australia, but less common is actually getting a photo of one during daylight hours. I was delighted to come across this beauty earlier this week in Point Nepean National Park just before midday. 

You normally only spot the nocturnal Possum high in the trees and strictly after hours, and only then by shining a torch that reflects in their eyes. That is exactly what I had seen and done the night before at the hostel, but I did learn a few things about them along the way. Firstly they live in nests, constructed much the same as a large bird's nest. Secondly, they make a rather spooky growling noise, which I can best describe as a cross between an angry cat and a bear. Lastly, having witnessed one in action, they are absolutely phenomenal tree hoppers which they need to be since they are arboreal (that's tree dwelling species to you and me.)

As you can see they're too cute to be labelled common, but fully deserve their ringtail moniker. They don't impact humans in any way, but are occasionally considered pests when they take shortcuts clattering across suburban roofs!