Brush-tailed possums are the most abundant, widely distributed and frequently encountered of all Australian marsupials.
They can be seen all over Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest. Most people living here will have their own possum story to share.

Brush-tailed possums are as big as domestic cats, have a pointed snout, pink nose, long whiskers and large ears. Their sharp claws are used to climb trees and comb their fur.
They are found in forests and woodlands all along the east coast, also living in inland areas along tree-lined rivers and creeks. They are nocturnal animals and are active at night and spend the day sleeping.

​It is the Australian marsupial most often seen by city-dwellers, as it thrives in urban areas, as well as a wide range of natural and human environments. They  feed on leaves, buds, flowers and fruits. They have strong teeth and often use their front paws to hold their food while eating.
Around people's homes, they are great  foragers with a liking for fruit trees and vegetable gardens.

Possums have adapted well to contact with people. However, at times this contact can be noisy and messy  if the possum takes up residence in the roof of your house.

If this happens, the possum can be trapped and removed from the ceiling cavity, provided you first obtain a licence from the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

You must release your resident possum back onto the area near your property, as it will not survive if relocated to a distant area.

Myall Koala Environment Group  will help and advise you. 

Its best to make friends with local possums. If you encourage a possum to stay around and claim your yard as its territory, other possums will be discouraged from taking up residence.
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You could make a safe possum home, away from your roof cavity where it won't be disturbed by dogs or people. ​There are photos above of two such possum homes.

See if you can find this painting of a possum along the Tea Gardens riverfront

Adrienne Ingram Myall Koala and Environment Group October 2021
​Photos by Adrienne Ingram.
​Includes information from: environment.nsw.gov.au