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Australian possums are a protected species of marsupials that are mostly herbivorous. While their diet primarily consists of plant matter, leaves, fruits, flowers, fungi, and bark, some sources suggest that they may also eat meat, especially when the weather is cold. This includes small animals, such as birds, eggs, insects, chicks, and even fish. However, it is important to note that possums have a low metabolic rate and can easily become overweight, so their diet should be carefully managed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet | Australian possums are mostly herbivores and eat leaves, fruits, flowers, fungi, bark, vegetables, and plants. |
| Some species of possums also eat small lizards, birds, eggs, insects, chicks, and small vertebrates. | |
| Possums can be lured by fish, but it is not recommended to feed brushtail possums as it can lead to nutritional imbalances and behavioural issues. | |
| Possums are also attracted to trash cans, exposed compost heaps, and other containers kept outside. | |
| Protection | Possums are protected under Australian law, and feeding them poison or harmful foods like sweets, junk food, and raw meat is illegal. |
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What You'll Learn
Australian possums are mostly herbivores
Possums have a varied diet, and they are not particularly picky eaters. They are primarily attracted to plant-based foods, including leaves, fruits, vegetables, flowers, fungi, and bark. Among leaves, they have a preference for eucalyptus, similar to koalas. If eucalyptus is not available, they will settle for other plants, such as green plum, acacia, and red bush apple. Possums also enjoy sweet foods, including fresh fruit, pieces of apple, jam, and peanut butter. However, it is important to note that sweets and junk food can be harmful to possums as their digestive system may not be able to process these foods.
While possums are mostly herbivorous, some sources indicate that they may occasionally consume meat. In particular, the brushtail possum, a subspecies of the common possum, has been observed scavenging on animal carcasses. This behaviour may be more common in certain regions, seasons, and habitats, and it can help possums meet their nutritional requirements, especially in times of drought or when typical food resources are scarce. Additionally, some possum species may derive protein from bird eggs, small lizards, insects, chicks, and small vertebrates.
Overall, Australian possums are considered to be generalist feeders, and their diet is mostly plant-based. While they may occasionally consume meat, this is not their primary source of nutrition. It is important to provide possums with a varied and nutritious diet that meets their specific needs, especially if they are being cared for in captivity.
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They eat fruit and vegetables
Possums are mostly herbivorous animals, meaning their diet is largely plant-based. In the wild, common brushtail possums are generalist feeders. They will eat leaves, fruits, flowers, fungi, bark and sometimes small lizards, birds and eggs. However, their diet should be mostly native plants.
Fruits and vegetables can be given to possums in small amounts as a supplement to their diet. Possums can be lured by apples and sweet things like jam and peanut butter, but these should be given in moderation as they can easily become overweight. In addition, sweets, junk food, and raw meat should be avoided as they can be harmful to possums.
If you are caring for a possum, it is important to provide a variety of nesting areas, including horizontal and vertical nest logs, and ensure the possum has an easy escape route if it feels threatened. Possums should be handled with care as they may scratch and bite, and it is best to limit handling to a short time. Possums should be kept in a quiet, secure location away from family pets and excessive noise.
While possums are not picky eaters, it is important to be mindful of their diet and provide them with a variety of fruits and vegetables, while also ensuring they have access to native plants and other food sources that make up their natural diet in the wild.
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They can be lured by fish
Possums are mostly herbivorous animals, with the bulk of their diet being plant-based. They are not picky eaters and can be lured by fish or apples as bait. While they are not carnivores, some possum species can be dangerous to animals around them and are known to eat bird eggs, chicks, small vertebrates, and even small lizards.
In Australia, brushtail possums, often thought to be herbivores, have been found to eat carcasses. They accounted for 61% of all recorded carcass scavenging in alpine Australia. This behaviour may be driven by the need to obtain greater levels of crude protein from carcasses than from leafy greens, as well as to increase their intake of calcium and phosphorus by chewing on bones. Scavenging may also help possums meet their nutritional requirements in regions where typical food sources are scarce.
While possums can be lured by fish, it is not recommended to feed brushtail possums as it can lead to nutritional imbalances, an increased risk of disease, and negative behaviour changes. Possums can easily become overweight, so their diet should be mostly native plants, with only small amounts of fruits and vegetables.
If you encounter a possum, it is best to leave it alone and not attempt to feed it. Possums are protected under the law, so attempting to remove one from your home or yard is illegal in most states. Possums are also known to live among humans, so it is important to take steps to prevent them from making their home in your house, such as by securing trash cans and compost heaps.
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They eat bird eggs and small lizards
Australian possums are mostly herbivores, with the bulk of their diet being plant-based. They are known to eat eucalyptus leaves, green plum, acacia, red bush apple, and other plants. However, contrary to popular belief, possums are not strict vegetarians and have been observed consuming meat. Brushtail possums, for example, derive protein from bird eggs and small lizards. They are also known to prey on birds, insects, and even small mammals.
While possums primarily obtain their nutrition from plants, they occasionally supplement their diet with animal-based sources. Bird eggs provide a concentrated source of protein and other essential nutrients required by these marsupials. Possums may raid poultry houses or bird nests in search of eggs, taking advantage of any opportunity to acquire this nutrient-rich food source. The consumption of bird eggs by possums can have ecological implications, particularly for endangered bird species.
Small lizards are another source of animal protein for Australian possums. These reptiles may be hunted or scavenged by possums, providing them with essential nutrients such as protein, calcium, and other minerals. Lizards can be an important food source, especially in regions where plant-based food resources are scarce or during seasons when their typical diet may be restricted. The availability of small lizards can influence the dietary habits and survival strategies of possums in different ecological contexts.
The consumption of bird eggs and small lizards by Australian possums highlights their opportunistic feeding behavior. While they primarily rely on plants for their nutritional needs, possums will take advantage of easily accessible animal-based food sources when available. This adaptability in their diet allows them to survive in a variety of habitats and ecological conditions. Understanding the dietary habits of possums, including their consumption of bird eggs and small lizards, is crucial for effective wildlife management and conservation efforts.
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They are scavengers and eat animal carcasses
Possums are mostly herbivores, with the bulk of their diet being plant-based. They are foragers and scavengers, and their diet can include leaves, fruits, flowers, fungi, bark, and even small lizards, birds, and eggs. They are not picky eaters and can be lured by fish or apples as bait. However, it is important to note that possums are not carnivores and are unable to process meat efficiently.
Australian brushtail possums, often thought to be herbivores, have been found to scavenge on animal carcasses in several ecosystems across the country. This behaviour is important for understanding how carcasses are disposed of in nature and how nutrients cycle through ecosystems. Possums may turn to scavenging for nutrients or to extract fluids from carcasses in times of drought or when typical food resources are restricted.
While possums are known to scavenge on carcasses, they primarily obtain their nutritional needs from plant sources. Their diet consists of leaves, fruits, vegetables, and other plant matter. Possums have a low metabolism, so their caloric needs are easily met with simple plants. However, they can easily become overweight, so fruits and vegetables should be fed in small quantities.
It is important to note that while possums may scavenge on animal carcasses, they should not be fed raw meat. Raw meat can spread diseases, and possums may not be able to process it properly due to their herbivorous diet. Instead, if you encounter a possum in your yard, it is recommended to provide small quantities of plant-based foods and place them in high places to encourage foraging behaviour.
Overall, while Australian possums are mostly herbivores, they are also scavengers that may feed on animal carcasses. This behaviour is important for maintaining healthy ecosystems and meeting their nutritional requirements, especially in times of scarcity.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian possums are mostly herbivorous and their diet is largely plant-based. However, they have been known to eat small animals and scavenge on carcasses. While there is no specific mention of fish in their diet, some sources do state that possums can be lured by fish.
Australian possums usually eat leaves, fruits, flowers, fungi, bark, bird eggs, and small lizards.
No, Australian possums are not picky eaters. They eat almost anything, including sweet things like fruit, jam, and peanut butter.
It is not recommended to feed wild Australian possums as they can become dependent on humans for food and lose their ability to forage and survive on their own.
If you find an orphaned Australian possum, you should contact experienced carers to look after it. In the meantime, keep it in a quiet, secure location and provide it with an artificial pouch and a heat pad set between 30 and 32 degrees Celsius.
