Common brushtail possum fact sheet – burumin | Field of Mars EEC

What are common brushtail possums?

Common brushtail possums are native Australian marsupials that live in forests, woodlands, parks, gardens and suburban neighbourhoods across much of Australia. They are one of the most recognisable nocturnal mammals in Sydney because they are often seen climbing fences, walking along powerlines or moving through trees at night.

The scientific name of the common brushtail possum is Trichosurus vulpecula. Their thick bushy tail, rounded ears and large eyes make them easy to recognise. Brushtail possums can vary in colour from silvery grey to brown, reddish or black, but most have pale fur on their belly. Adults are much larger than common ringtail possums and have a more heavily built body.

Common brushtail possums are excellent climbers that spend much of their time in trees. During the day they shelter in tree hollows, dense vegetation, rock crevices and sometimes house roofs. At night they move through bushland and urban areas searching for leaves, flowers and fruit. The Darug name for possum is burumin. A common brushtail possum.

A common brushtail possum peering from a tree hollow.

Where do common brushtail possums live?

Common brushtail possums are found across much of Australia, including eastern Australia, Tasmania and many urban areas around Sydney. They are also an introduced species in New Zealand.

Brushtail possums are arboreal animals, meaning they spend much of their lives in trees. They prefer forests and woodlands with plenty of tree hollows, but they have adapted extremely well to suburban environments. In Sydney they are commonly found in gardens, parks, school grounds and reserves including the Field of Mars Reserve and Lane Cove National Park.

Tree hollows are important shelters for brushtail possums. During the day they rest in hollows, dense vegetation, fallen logs or rock crevices. In urban areas they sometimes shelter inside roofs because suitable tree hollows are limited. Competition for hollows can be intense because many animals, including birds, reptiles and other mammals, rely on them for shelter.

A common brushtail possum sheltering in a tree hollow.

What do common brushtail possums eat?

Common brushtail possums are omnivores with a varied diet. In bushland they feed mainly on leaves, blossoms, shoots, bark, seeds and fruit. They may also eat insects, bird eggs and small animals when available.

In urban areas brushtail possums often feed on garden plants, fruit trees and compost scraps. They usually forage at night and move between trees and feeding sites using branches, fences and rooftops.

Brushtail possums play an important role in ecosystems because they help spread pollen between flowers as they feed. They are also an important food source for predators such as powerful owls, pythons, quolls and goannas.

A common brushtail possum feeding on fruit at night.

What do common brushtail possums sound like?

Common brushtail possums are noisy animals that communicate using growls, screeches, hisses, coughs and shrieks. These sounds are most often heard at night when possums are active.

Males use calls and scent marking to defend territory and warn rivals. Loud screeching sounds are often heard during the breeding season or when possums compete for food or shelter.

Students living near bushland or large trees may hear brushtail possums moving across roofs or calling during the night.

What is the life cycle of common brushtail possums?

Common brushtail possums can breed throughout the year, although breeding is often more common during autumn. Females usually give birth to a single joey after a short pregnancy of about 17 days. Like other marsupials, the tiny underdeveloped joey crawls into its mother’s pouch immediately after birth and continues developing there for about 5 months.

After leaving the pouch, the joey rides on its mother’s back while continuing to drink milk and learn how to climb and find food. Young possums become independent at about 8–9 months of age. Wild brushtail possums can live for around 10 years, although many face dangers in urban areas including traffic, dogs and habitat loss.

A young common brushtail possum riding on its mother’s back.

What adaptations do common brushtail possums have to help them survive?

Common brushtail possums have strong limbs, sharp claws and rough foot pads that help them grip bark and climb through trees. Their bushy tail helps with balance while moving along branches, fences and rooftops. Large eyes, sensitive ears and a strong sense of smell help them find food and detect danger at night.

These possums are also highly adaptable animals that can survive in forests, parks and suburban areas. They shelter in tree hollows, dense vegetation and sometimes roof spaces when natural hollows are limited. Two fused toes on their hind feet form a special grooming claw that helps keep their thick fur clean and healthy.

A common brushtail possum climbing through branches using its claws and tail for balance.

Why are common brushtail possums important?

Common brushtail possums are important members of Australian ecosystems. As they feed on flowers and blossoms, pollen can stick to their fur and be carried between plants. They also help cycle nutrients through forests and woodlands as they feed and move through the environment.

Brushtail possums are part of many food webs and provide food for predators including powerful owls, pythons, quolls and goannas. In Sydney, they are one of the native mammals most commonly seen by students, helping people learn about nocturnal wildlife and urban bushland ecosystems.

A common brushtail possum foraging in bushland at night.

How can you help common brushtail possums?

Protecting trees with hollows is one of the best ways to help common brushtail possums because hollows provide important shelter for many native animals. Planting native trees and shrubs and protecting local bushland also helps provide food and safe places for possums to move and rest.

People can help possums by keeping cats and dogs indoors or contained at night and driving carefully near bushland after dark. Avoid feeding possums human food because it can make them sick and encourage unsafe behaviour around houses and roads. In areas where hollows are limited, nest boxes can provide extra shelter when installed safely by adults.

Nest boxes attached to trees can provide shelter for common brushtail possums.

Related fact sheets

More mammal fact sheets

• Mammals fact sheet – overview.
• Common ringtail possum fact sheet – another possum found in Sydney trees, gardens and bushland.
• Grey-headed flying-fox fact sheet – a nocturnal mammal that feeds on flowers, nectar and fruit.
• Long-nosed bandicoot fact sheet – a nocturnal marsupial that shares some urban bushland habitats.

Habitats and ecosystems

• Tree habitats fact sheet – trees, hollows and canopies used by possums and other animals.
• Eucalypt forest fact sheet – forest habitat where common brushtail possums can shelter and feed.
• Field of Mars Reserve fact sheet – local bushland that supports native mammals and nocturnal wildlife.

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