Common ringtail possum fact sheet – bugari | Field of Mars EEC

What are common ringtail possums?

Common ringtail possums are small native marsupials that live in forests, woodlands, wetlands and gardens across eastern and southern Australia. Their scientific name is Pseudocheirus peregrinus. These possums are well known for their curled tail, large eyes and quiet movements through trees at night.

Common ringtail possums are usually grey or brown with pale fur underneath. Many have white patches behind their ears and a long tail with a curled tip that helps them grip branches while climbing. Students may spot them resting in tree hollows during the day or moving through shrubs and trees after sunset.

Unlike the larger common brushtail possum, common ringtail possums often build round nests called dreys from leaves and twigs. In Sydney, they can still survive in suburban areas where native trees, dense shrubs and connected bushland provide food and shelter. They are commonly found in places such as the Field of Mars Reserve and nearby Lane Cove National Park. The Darug name for ringtail possum is bugari.

A common ringtail possum.

Small round ears and white patches behind the eyes help distinguish common ringtail possums from other possums.

Where do common ringtail possums live?

Common ringtail possums live in many habitats across eastern and southern Australia, including rainforests, eucalyptus forests, wetlands and suburban gardens. They prefer areas with dense vegetation because thick shrubs and connected tree branches help protect them from predators.

These possums spend most of their time in trees and rarely travel on the ground. During the day they rest in tree hollows or leafy nests called dreys. They often build several nests within their home range and may share nests with other ringtail possums during cooler weather.

In Sydney, common ringtail possums can survive in urban bushland if enough native vegetation remains. Students may observe signs of possums in the Field of Mars Reserve, along creek lines or in backyard trees where leaves have been chewed overnight.

Dreys can be found in tree hollows, tree forks or dense vegetation, hidden away from predators.

What do common ringtail possums eat?

Common ringtail possums are herbivores that mainly eat leaves, flowers, fruits and soft shoots. They especially feed on eucalyptus leaves, but they also eat many other native and introduced plants.

These possums are mostly active at night. They move carefully through trees while searching for food and use their curled tail for balance and grip. Their specialised digestive system helps break down tough eucalyptus leaves that many other animals cannot safely eat.

Common ringtail possums are an important part of the food web. They help cycle nutrients through ecosystems and are prey for predators such as owls, snakes, foxes and large goannas.

Common ringtail possums are nocturnal animals that feed at night.

What do common ringtail possums sound like?

Common ringtail possums are usually quieter than brushtail possums, but they still make a range of sounds. They may produce soft chattering, clicking or high-pitched calls when communicating with other possums or warning nearby animals of danger.

Young possums often make squeaking sounds when calling to their mother. Students exploring bushland at night may hear these quiet calls coming from trees or dense shrubs.

What is the life cycle of common ringtail possums?

Common ringtail possums usually breed during autumn and winter, although breeding times can vary depending on climate and food availability. After a short pregnancy, the tiny joey crawls into the mother’s pouch where it continues to develop.

The joey remains in the pouch for several months before riding on the mother’s back while learning to climb and feed independently. Young possums gradually explore nearby branches before leaving to establish their own territory.

Common ringtail possums can live for several years in the wild, although survival depends on habitat quality, predators, road traffic and access to shelter.

Orphaned baby possums are kept in small, soft, warm bags that replicate their mother’s pouch.

Common ringtail possum joeys are about the size of a jellybean when they are born.

A mother common ringtail possum and her young.

An adult common ringtail possum.

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

Common ringtail possums have several adaptations that help them survive in trees. Their long curled tail acts like an extra limb and helps grip branches while climbing and balancing. Strong claws and flexible feet also help them move safely through vegetation.

Their grey-brown fur provides camouflage among bark, branches and leaves. Large eyes improve night vision, allowing them to find food and avoid danger after dark.

Building leafy dreys is another important adaptation. These nests help protect possums from cold weather, rain and predators. Their specialised digestive system also allows them to feed on eucalyptus leaves that contain chemicals toxic to many animals.

Features and adaptations of the common ringtail possum.

Features of a ringtail possum | Field of Mars EEC (0:54 min)

Why are common ringtail possums important?

Common ringtail possums are an important part of Australian ecosystems. They help transfer energy through food webs by feeding on plants and becoming prey for larger predators.

Their feeding activities also help cycle nutrients through forests and bushland. By moving through vegetation and spreading plant material, they contribute to healthy ecosystems.

Common ringtail possums are also important for helping people connect with local wildlife. In many Sydney suburbs, they are one of the native mammals students are most likely to observe close to home.

For Aboriginal peoples of the Sydney region, including the Darug peoples, possums were traditionally important animals that provided resources such as fur and formed part of local ecological knowledge connected to bushland environments.

Common ringtail possums move through bushland at night as part of local food webs.

How can you help common ringtail possums?

People can help common ringtail possums by protecting native bushland and planting native trees and shrubs. Gardens with connected vegetation provide food and safe pathways for possums moving between habitats.

Leaving old trees standing where safe is also important because tree hollows provide shelter for possums and many other native animals. Installing nest boxes may help in areas where natural hollows are limited.

Keeping pets indoors at night and driving carefully near bushland can also reduce threats to possums living in urban environments.

Common ringtail possums sometimes build dreys in wooden nest boxes.

Related fact sheets

More animal fact sheets

• Mammals fact sheet – Learn about Australia’s native mammals and their adaptations.
• Common brushtail possum fact sheet – Learn about another possum species found in Sydney bushland and suburbs.
• Powerful owl fact sheet – Find out about a predator that may hunt possums.
• Birds fact sheet – Explore the role birds play in ecosystems shared with possums.
• Insects fact sheet – Learn how insects support Australian food webs.

Habitats and ecosystems

• Eucalypt forest fact sheet – Explore ecosystems that provide food and shelter for possums.
• Field of Mars Reserve fact sheet – Learn more about this important local bushland environment.

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