Possums.
30M
Possums in NZ
4.5kg
Max. weight
$35M
Damage to farms per year
22
Different sounds/calls
Possums.
The Brushtail possum was introduced from Australia and is now widespread across New Zealand. They are marsupials, so females have a pouch. They can weigh between 1.5-4.5kg with bodies up to 50cm long with a tail up to 40cm. They live in trees but also move across open country and graze on pasture. Being nocturnal they feed at night and sleep during the day.
They pose a serious threat to our forests and native wildlife. Their primary food is plants and they disrupt vital ecological processes such as flowering, fruiting, seed dispersal and germination. They feed on new shoots, making it harder for trees to recover from weather and insect damage, and slowing their growth. They also eat the eggs and chicks of our native birds.
For more information see Predator Free NZ.