The Ringtail lives in rainforests,
eucalypt forests, shrubby woodland, and have adapted to suburban
gardens. Food consists mainly of eucalypt leaves, fresh new buds
of natve trees, flowers and fruit. It is probably the best known
possum to most as it is commonly seen in back yards climbing trees
at night looking for food.
The nest is usually in a hollow
log lined with leaves, but as old trees are fast dissapearing from
our landscape, the ringtail will also build a spherical nest called
a drey, it is made from leaves and shredded bark.The ringtail is
not particularly agressive and territory may overlap, having dreys
in close proximity to each other, the male will however defend his
territory from other males specially if food is scarce.
The ringtail is only active at night,
being strictly nocturnal. Sexual maturity is reached at 12 months
og age, breeding takes place from March to November, the female
has 4 teats, but normally only has 2-3 young. They stay in the pouch
untill about 4 months old, then mum carries them on her back, or
leave them in the drey whilst she forages for food at night. The
young are weaned at 6 months of age and become independant at 8-12
months old.Survival rate is diminished once they leave the pouch,
predators are many and include dogs, cats, python snakes, foxes,
the powerful owl and many are also killed on our roads by cars.
