Western Ring Tailed Possums in Dumbleyung

Yesterday I was on my way out of Dumbleyung to do some metal detecting for lost coins and jewellery, and only 500 metres from the townsite I came across and dead Western Ring Tailed Possum on the road, it had sadly been killed by a car or a truck.

Rare Western Ring Tailed Possum - Roadkill - Found in Dumbleyung

I have lived in Dumbleyung for 38 years and not once have I ever seen a possum in the town, so even though it was dead, it is still a great sign to have these rare and endangered species on our doorstep.

I may go through a walk in the bush, near where I found it, to see if I can see any Ring Tailed Possum Nests around, I hope so, that would be great, probably a good idea to go at night time also, with the torch … more of a chance to see one in the trees at night, as they are a nocturnal species (Night Active)

Ringtail Possum Nest

Western ringtails are rare possums that face the threat of extinction due to a loss of habitat to human urbanization. This species is located in the peppermint woodlands in the southwest areas of Western Australia. The rapid decline of this species can be accounted for by the primary predator of the western ringtail possum-the fox. There are few efforts being made to preserve the natural habitat of the western ringtail possum. There is limited information on this species.

The western ringtail possum likes to nest in the hollows of old peppermint trees. Nests are lined with leaves for a cushion. Western ringtail possums are nocturnal animals. Families can be seen together while foraging for food and at nesting sites.

Western ringtails have thick grey hair with some intermingled brown fur throughout; the brown is more prominent closer to the underbelly. The underbelly is white as is the bottom half of the tail. A ring of black fur is present around the eyes. The average tail pf a western ringtail possum measures about the same as the head and body. Both parts measure about 350mm. Ringtail possums weigh 900g on average.

Leaves, flowers, and fruit are eaten in addition to various other types of plant material. Food is found in shrubbery near the nest.

Mating occurs fall through spring and females only produce one young in that time. Little else is known about the breeding habits of western ringtail possums. Source: Australian Fauna

I rang up the Department of Environment and Conversation in Katanning today to report the find and they were really nice and appreciated my phonecall and emailed me a Threatened Fauna Species Report Form, which I will fill out tomorrow and send it back to them with the required details they need.

Western Ringtail Possum

They also informed me that if people ever come across dead endangered animals on the road, or in the bush etc that a good thing to do, is the bag and freeze the animal and ring up the Western Australian Museum to see if they would like the animal, for research purposes.

More info on Western Australian Possums

Below is a Threatened Species Report Form, for you to fill out in case you come across any endangered only roadkill.

DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND LAND MANAGEMENT                                File #_____________________

FAUNA REPORT FORM

Threatened or Priority o         Feral o        Other o    Database # _________________

species_____________ no. seen:_____

distinguishing features observed:_____ _____________

_____________

certainty of identification:                        o Very certain                        o Moderately certain                        o Not sure

collector/observer:_____________ phone no:_____________ survey date:_____________ Time:________

shire:_____________ calm district:

site location:

_____________

map ref:                        Map Datum:                         AGD84 o                        WSG84 o                        GDA94 o

(Complete one line only)                        DCLM map name:                        FD Grid Reference         

or                        Latitude oo° oo’ oo” S                                Longitude ooo° oo’ oo” E

or     MGA Zone:  49 o 50 o 51 o           Easting oooooo      Northing ooooooo

land status:

o State Forest                        o Nature Reserve                        o National Park                        o Conservation Park                        o Private Property

o Unallocated Crown Land                        o Road Verge MRD/Shire                        o Pastoral Lease                        o Other                        o Unknown

observation/collection method:

o Daylight sighting                        o Night sighting                        o Heard                        o Caught or trapped                        o Shot                        o Poisoned

o Road kill                        o Dead                        o Droppings                        o Feathers                         o Bones                         o Diggings

o Other_________________________________________________________________________________________

observation:

What was the animal doing?    

age and sex:

No. of Adults:                         ________Male                        ________Female                        ________Sex unknown

No. of Juveniles:                        ________Male                        ________Female                        ________Sex unknown

breeding:

o Pregnant  o Lactating     o Mating        o Male in breeding colours        o Eggs/young in nest            o Other

landform type:

o Flat                        o Gully                        o Lake                        o Cliff                        o Rocky outcrop                        o Other________________

o Slope                        o Swamp                        o River                        o Ridge                        o Sand dune

vegetation type:

o Forest                        o Grassland                        Significant species                        1___________________________________     

o Woodland                        o Sedgeland                              2___________________________________

o Mallee                        o Rock communities                              3___________________________________

o Tall Shrubland                        o Wetland                                 4___________________________________

o Heathland                        o Other_________________                        _____________                        5___________________________________

fire history:

o Not known                        Year burnt                        Month (approx)

o Next prescribed burn:                        Year                        Month              

current land use:

o Nature Conservation                        o Agriculture                        o Pastoralism                        o Mining                        o Forestry/Multiple purpose                        o Recreation                        o Other

_____________

Specimen:                        o Collected as voucher                        Catalogue number:____________________________________

                        o Retained by collector                        o WA Museum                        o Other                        o Not retained

attached:                        o Map                        o Mud map                        o Photo                        o Notes

action, taken/required:___________

_____________

other comments: __

_____________

copy sent to:                        o Regional Office                        o District Office                        o Head Office

Signed:_____________ Date:_________

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