The Common Brush-tailed Possum, Trichosurus vulpecula (sometimes spelled vulpecular), is a large, semi-aboreal possum. They have a distinctive black, bushy tail.

Their tall, pointed ears distinguish them from the Mountain Brush-tailed Possum, , which has short, rounded ears.

The Common Brush-tailed Possum lives in forests, woodlands, heath and urban areas across Australia, and as a feral pest in New Zealand.

During the day Brush-tailed Possums live in a den, such as a tree hollow. They are very adaptable and in cities well known for getting into the roofs of houses.

They are omnivorous, eating foliage of trees, fruits and small animals. They are excellent scavengers, often seen around compost and waste bins.

They produce one or two offspring per year. A single young is born 17-18 days after mating and spends 4-5 months in the pouch, attached to one of two teats. A further 1-2 months are spent suckling and riding on the mothers back until fully weaned.

Click on the thumbnail to download a higher resolution image; photo by JJ Harrison.