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Possum Facts & Worksheets

Possums are small marsupials with thick, bushy tails, thick body fur, and a pointed snout and ears.

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Possums are small marsupials with thick, bushy tails, thick body fur, and a pointed snout and ears. The most common brushtail possum was first introduced to New Zealand and Australia for the fur trade.

See the fact file below for more information on the possums or alternatively, you can download our 24-page Possum worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

  • Common Name: Possum
  • Scientific Name: Didelphimorphia
  • Type: Mammals
  • Diet: Omnivores
  • Group Name: Passel
  • Average Size: 15 to 20 inches
  • Average Weight: 4 to 12 lbs
  • Maximum Lifespan in the Wild: 5 to 8 years
  • Gestation Period: 14 to 17 days
  • Habitat: Forests in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Sulawesi, New Zealand, and China

Introducing the Possum

  • The Australian Possum is often referred to as cute-looking, cuddly, furry, and curious. They are fascinating arboreal, nocturnal marsupials that like to come out to eat and play in the Australian bush at night. The possum is not to be confused with the opossum, which is endemic to the Americas and is sometimes called a possum in North America.

Species

  • Australia has over 20 species of possum which come in a large variety of sizes, shapes, and appearances.
  • The smallest is the tiny pygmy possum, just 2.4 in (6 cm) long and weighing a mere 0.25 oz (7g).
  • The largest Australian possum is the Greater Glider, which grows to about 17 in (43 cm) long and then has a long furry tail measuring another 24 in (60 cm). They weigh about 3.5 lb (1.6 kg).
  • Australia’s two most common possums are the Common Brushtail possum and the Common Ringtail possum.

Description and Anatomy

  • Male possums are generally larger than females. 
  • The chest of both sexes has a scent gland that emits a reddish secretion that stains the fur around it. Possums mark their territory with these secretions.
  • The most common brushtail possums are usually silvery gray in color, with a black band across the snout and a white to brownish-yellow belly. 
  • Possums have a pointed snout, pink nose, long sensory whiskers, and large rounded ears.
  • The forefeet have sharp claws, and the first toe of each hind foot is clawless but has a strong grasp. The third and fourth toes are fused together and used for grooming.
  • Possum’s prehensile tails are very long and bushy and used for extra balance. Possums walk, jump, and move around tree branches easily. 
  • They have four fangs for grasping and 50 teeth for crushing and eating food.
  • They are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night, and they are arboreal, meaning they prefer to stay on tree branches.
  • They have large eyes adapted to help them see better at night. 
  • Their sense of hearing is not well developed, but their sense of smell is extremely good.
  • Possums are also good swimmers but prefer not to be in the water for long periods.

Habitat and Diet

  • The two most common species of possum, the common brushtail and the common ringtail possum inhabit forests and woodland environments with abundant food and plenty of shelter.
  • However, several species have adjusted well to urban settings.
  • Possums are omnivores, meaning they both eat plants and animals. 
  • They search for food like berries, fruit, bugs, bird eggs, and small animals at night, but eucalyptus leaves are their favorite.
  • When necessary, possums are scavengers, eating food left over from other animals and, in urban settings, even leftovers from people.

Reproduction and Young

  • Female possums are called jills and reach sexual maturity at approximately one year.
  • Males are called jacks and reach sexual maturity in their second year. 
  • Possums are marsupials, meaning the mother carries her babies in a large pouch on her front tummy, just like kangaroos.
  • During mating season, males attract females by making clicking sounds.
  • The gestation period is 14 to 17 days, after which a single furless young, called a joey, is born. It is only about one inch (2.5 cm) long and about the size and weight of a grape.
  • Joeys are usually born in spring.
  • For about five months, joeys feed and grow inside their mother’s pouch and then spend another two months or so clinging to their mother’s back.
  • At around seven months old, joeys are independent of their mothers and are considered fully grown at ten months. 

Behavioral Characteristics

  • Possums tend to live solitary lives except during breeding season. 
  • They prefer to live in their home ranges marked by their own scent. To mark their territories, possums release scent from glands on their chest onto tree branches. 
  • Possums love grooming and sleeping.
  • Compared to cats and dogs, possums have a good memory, particularly for finding food. They can also get through a maze more easily than rats.
  • In times of danger, possums growl, cough, hiss, belch, and urinate to protect themselves. 
  • They also make distinct sounds to identify the arrival of a predator.
  • When they fail to deter a predator, they play dead by rolling over, becoming stiff, baring their teeth, and secreting a foul-smelling odor. This defense mechanism can last several hours.
  • Ringtail possums are more sociable than other species and prefer to live in large families consisting of several female possums and their young.
  • Ringtail possums also secrete a sticky liquid from the anal glands in times of danger.

Possums in Urban Areas

  • There are now many places in Australia and New Zealand where possums are found in urban areas. Despite pest patrolling, possums still frequent homes where they are unwelcome because of their odor and destructiveness.
  • They are considered harmful to both plantations and houses, especially roofs.
  • Possums can also transmit diseases to people when they come into contact with them.
  • Possums in urban settings usually stay in areas with little to no light, preferring attics, sheds, and garages.
  • Look for burrows and holes to detect whether possums are living in a house. Also, check your pet’s food, as they enjoy eating any food they find.
  • Methods to deter possums include
    • Clear the yard of fallen branches, leaves, unused items, and garbage that might attract them.
    • Regularly trim bushes and build fences or traps to keep them away from your lawn.
    • Repair any cracks in your home where possums could enter and breed. They are good climbers and will sneak in anywhere they possibly can.

Dangers to Possums

  • Possums are widely hunted for their meat, skin, and fur.   
  • Possum meat tastes similar to rabbit and squirrel. It should be cooked slowly and is said to make good pies and casseroles. 
  • Possum skins are crafted into moccasins, boot liners, and baby booties.
  • Wild hounds, owls, snakes, and hawks are among their natural predators.

Did You Know?

  • Female possums are called jills, males are called jacks, and young are called joeys. 
  • A group of possums is called a passel.
  • The Brushtail Possum differs in size and color depending on where it lives. Possums living in cold, wet areas in Tasmania are large, dark, and fluffy. Those living in the warmer tropical Northern Territory are light gray to fawn in color and smaller.
  • Possums and opossums differ in several ways. A key difference is in their tails. Possums have furry tails, much like that of a squirrel, while opossums have bare tails. 

Possum Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about possums across 24 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use Possum worksheets are perfect for teaching students about Possums, which are small marsupials with thick, bushy tails, thick body fur, and a pointed snout and ears. The most common brushtail possum was first introduced to New Zealand and Australia for the fur trade.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

  • Possum Facts
  • Possumazing
  • Possum Cards
  • Possum World
  • Mapping Possum
  • Magic Possum
  • Fact or Bluff
  • Possum in New Zealand
  • Compare and Contrast
  • My Home, My Place
  • Pest-Free New Zealand

Frequently Asked Questions

Do possums stink?

Possums are smelly creatures. They have a strong, musky odor similar to that of a skunk. Possums also emit foul odors when they feel threatened. They will release a foul smell from their anal glands and then roll over and play dead.

Do possums bite people?

Possums can look scary when they are frightened. They make a hissing sound and show their sharp teeth. However, possums are not known to attack people or their pets.

What is the difference between a possum and an opossum?

Possums and Opossums are very different animals. Possums are endemic to Australia, while opossums are endemic to North and South America. Possums are tree-dwelling herbivores, while opossums are omnivorous scavengers. The list of differences is as long as the creatures are different.

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Link will appear as Possum Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, September 24, 2018

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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