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:_________
