Common Brushtail Possum

Common Brushtail Possum, Trichosurus vulpecula

The Australian Common Brushtail Possum is similar in many ways to the North American Virginia Opossum. They are both marsupials, are nocturnal, have a prehensile tail either lacking some or all fur, are similar in size, occupy urban areas, and have similar care for their young which ride on the back after suckling; however, these two species are not as closely related as the name might imply. The Virginia Opossum, of Didelphidae, is a primitive marsupial, unchanged in over 50 millions years, while the Common Brushtail Possum, of Phalangeridae, is much more recent in the evolutionary tree. The lifespan of both differ dramatically, with a wild opossum lucky to live three years while a wild possum can live up to thirteen years. The Virginia Opossum, found mostly along the central and eastern United States, was successful and intentionally introduce to the northwest coast. The introduction was as an alternative food source and so far has not seen major repercussions. The Common Brushtail Possum was introduced purposefully to the islands of New Zealand for the fur trade. There the possum has become a pest, threatening the native wildlife including the already endangered kiwi.

This mother and baby, found uncharacteristically in broad daylight, were photographed in Townsville, Australia near a residential area. A fascinating look at the evolutionary tree of marsupials can be found in Molecular Evolution and Adaptive Radiation.