Kingdom Animalia Infraclass Marsupialia Suborder Phalangeriformes Scientific name Trichosurus johnstonii Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Order Diprotodontia Family Phalangeridae Higher classification Brushtail possum | |
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Similar Northern brushtail possum, Banggai cuscus, Pygmy ringtail possum, D'Albertis' ringtail possum, Herbert River ringtail po | ||
The coppery brushtail possum (Trichosurus johnstonii) is a species of marsupial possum in the family Phalangeridae. Coppery brushtails are found within the Atherton Tablelands area of Queensland, in northeastern Australia. These mammals inhabit rainforest ecosystems, living within the tree canopy. Though they have a restricted distribution, they are locally common. This population is often considered a subspecies of T. vulpecula.
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Description
Coppery brushtail possums have an average length of 400-490 mmm and weigh between 1200-1800 g, with males being larger and heavier than females.
Ecology
Like the Common brushtail possum, coppery brushtails are nocturnal, and live in dens, which are usually tree hollows. At night they will still spend half of their time resting in order to conserve energy, and the other half in foraging. It was found in feeding experiments that in selecting their food, these possums may tend to select a mix of plant materials with detoxification requirements that are correlated or independent, rather than contradictory, thus maximizing their ability to process harmful plant by-products.
Dominance among individuals tends to place females above males, and larger over smaller individuals.